friendly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "friendly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person's behavior or attitude, as in the following example: "She had a very friendly demeanor, so everyone felt at ease in her presence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"If someone else goes down – and it could happen because we have the Cup final and these [post-season friendly] matches being played all over the world – then we would have to bring someone else in," said the England manager.

The Guardian - Sport

Always a crowded but friendly dive, owner Jack Prince bought the joint next door several years ago and knocked out a wall, so that now you can even sit down, enjoy the dusty PBR ads on the wall or, even better, listen to live music.

The Guardian - Travel

It has hand-picked 13 of the best value hotels and riads for you to choose from; prices start from £9 a night in the Tachfine, a friendly three-star with a roof terrace, to £70 at the five-star Le Meridien N'Fis.

The Guardian - Travel

The people, a mixture of Indian, Chinese, African and European backgrounds, are friendly, kind and always courteous.

The Guardian - Travel

Lucy Flannery Havant Stuart Heritage's Is It Worth It? on squash was informative, but he might have suggested that would-be players would benefit from a few sessions with a local, friendly, licensed squash coach.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He played in a friendly against Hungary in August 2010 and he was involved in Capello's final match as England's manager, a 1-0 friendly win at home to Sweden in November 2011.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

This isn't because the big banks have been making a special effort to be customer-friendly.

The Economist

Yellen's studied, academic, consensus-friendly approach is also another plus in her favor – particularly in comparison to Larry Summers, her bright but brash rival for the job.

The Guardian - Opinion

Little Palm Grove, a sister resort 50 metres away, is a more private affair compared with Palm Grove's family-friendly environment but both have beautifully furnished cottages, reflecting the gorgeousness outside.

The Guardian - Travel

As CityMetric reports, the project – funded by Waltham Forest council and Transport for London – aims to create a cycle-friendly urban quarter through traffic calming, pocket parks and a Cycle Superhighway.

The Guardian

For machines like the Surface Pro (which has a detachable keyboard), when the keyboard is attached it behaves like a desktop machine; without it, Windows switches to a more touch-friendly interface with an on-screen back button and other touch elements to make things a bit easier with fingers on a screen.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing interactions between people, use "friendly" to indicate a positive and welcoming atmosphere. For example, "The staff provided a friendly environment for all guests."

Common error

Avoid using "friendly" indiscriminately. While it generally implies positivity, ensure it aligns with the specific characteristic you intend to convey. Consider alternatives like "approachable", "cordial", or "amiable" for more precise descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The word "friendly" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a quality of being kind, approachable, or welcoming. Ludwig AI confirms its role across a diverse set of examples, illustrating consistent adjectival usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Travel

14%

Sport

12%

Less common in

Lifestyle

4%

Opinion

2%

Arts

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "friendly" is a very common adjective used to describe someone or something that is kind, approachable, or welcoming. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and versatile, fitting various contexts, especially in News & Media, Travel, and Sport. While "friendly" is generally safe to use, consider synonyms like "amiable", "approachable", or "cordial" for nuances in meaning. Be mindful of overuse and context for precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amiable

Describes someone who is generally agreeable and pleasant in disposition. It emphasizes a consistently kind and good-natured character.

approachable

Highlights the ease with which one can interact with someone. It stresses accessibility and a welcoming attitude.

cordial

Implies politeness and warmth, often used in formal or professional contexts. Focuses on respectful and genuine interactions.

hospitable

Emphasizes a welcoming and generous attitude towards guests or strangers. It centers on creating a comfortable and inviting environment.

neighborly

Suggests kindness and helpfulness within a community or local area. It stresses a sense of social responsibility and goodwill.

personable

Highlights someone who has a pleasing and attractive personality. It emphasizes charm and the ability to connect well with others.

amicable

Implies politeness and a desire for peace; especially in negotiations.

genial

Describes someone who is cheerful and warm in manner. Focuses on a consistently positive and outgoing attitude.

sympathetic

Implies understanding and compassion towards others' feelings. It centers on empathy and emotional connection.

sociable

Suggests enjoying the company of others and being outgoing in social situations. It emphasizes a preference for interaction and group activities.

FAQs

How can I use "friendly" in a sentence?

You can use "friendly" to describe a person's behavior, an atmosphere, or an object's ease of use. For instance, "She had a very friendly demeanor", "The atmosphere was warm and friendly", or "The software has a user-friendly interface".

What's the difference between "friendly" and "amiable"?

"Friendly" suggests warmth and openness, while "amiable" implies a more consistent and agreeable disposition. Someone "amiable" is consistently pleasant; a "friendly" person may just be acting that way in a particular situation.

What can I say instead of "friendly"?

You can use alternatives like "approachable", "cordial", or "hospitable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "friendly" or "friendlily"?

"Friendly" is an adjective, while "friendlily" is an adverb. You'd say "She is a friendly person" (adjective) and "She behaved friendlily toward everyone" (adverb).