neighborly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'neighborly' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is friendly and helpful to their neighbors, or to describe a neighborhood where the people are friendly and helpful to one another. Example sentence: "The people in the neighborhood are so neighborly; they are always helping each other out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Moving to a new area can be a tough, confusing time - so settle yourself in with your neighborly drunkards.

Independent

Syria's Ja'afari said the "Syrian government is keenly interested in maintaining good neighborly relations with Turkey".

Independent

Earlier Thursday, Syria's U.N. envoy said his government is not seeking any escalation of violence with Turkey and wants to maintain good neighborly relations.

Independent

Did it cross her mind that the old woman might just be paying a neighborly visit?

The New Yorker

For some reason it didn't seem neighborly to chuck the frying pan, so I held it out in full flambé, Daisy now stepping out in her towel with the kids in tow, all of us waiting for the fire to die out.

The New Yorker

During our time in the hospital, we managed to build a neighborly friendship.

The New Yorker

In a neighborly spirit, Saks got together a collection of skating costumes to put on display on Oct. 28th, the day of the opening of the rink.

The New Yorker

I have known Peter since 1990, when he opened Savoy, a lovely, neighborly restaurant, with a golden-lit Arts and Crafts-style room, all blond wood and copper mesh and candlelight and welcome, eclectic food.

The New Yorker

Reading from a memo pad, Kim explained to Koizumi that he wanted to initiate "a truly neighborly relationship" with Japan.

The New Yorker

In his view, Tibet needs good neighborly relations with China: "One nation's problems can no longer be satisfactorily solved by itself alone," he has said.

The New Yorker

Most people make allowances for the continuation of generic small talk already under way, or, in residential buildings, for neighborly amenities.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "neighborly" to describe actions or environments that promote positive relationships and mutual support within a community. For example, "a neighborly gesture" or "a neighborly community".

Common error

Avoid using "neighborly" to describe relationships outside of a direct community context. For instance, describing a business transaction as "neighborly" might be inappropriate if there isn't a genuine community connection involved.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "neighborly" primarily functions to describe qualities or actions that are characteristic of good neighbors. It implies friendliness, helpfulness, and a sense of community. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "neighborly" is a common and widely understood term that describes friendly and helpful interactions within a community. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous real-world examples, primarily from news and media sources. While "neighborly" generally carries a neutral tone, it effectively conveys a sense of warmth and community spirit. When writing, use "neighborly" to describe acts of kindness, community events, or environments that foster positive relationships among neighbors. To avoid misuse, ensure the context involves genuine community connection. Synonyms include "friendly", "amiable", and "hospitable", each carrying subtly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

friendly

Focuses on general friendliness without specifically referencing neighbors.

affable

Highlights ease and approachability in interactions.

amiable

Emphasizes a pleasant and agreeable disposition.

cordial

Emphasizes politeness and warmth in social interactions.

hospitable

Highlights welcoming and generous behavior, especially to guests or strangers.

approachable

Describes someone who is easy to talk to and interact with.

communal

Suggests a shared or collective spirit, focusing on community involvement.

sociable

Describes someone who enjoys and seeks out social interaction.

kindhearted

Focuses on the inherent kindness and generosity of a person.

gregarious

Indicates a fondness for company and social gatherings.

FAQs

How can I use "neighborly" in a sentence?

You can use "neighborly" to describe actions that are friendly and helpful within a community, such as "a neighborly act of kindness" or "a neighborly community event."

What are some synonyms for "neighborly"?

Alternatives to "neighborly" include "friendly", "amiable", or "hospitable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "neighborly" and "friendly"?

"Neighborly" specifically relates to interactions within a neighborhood or local community, whereas "friendly" is a more general term for being kind and approachable.

When is it appropriate to use "neighborly"?

Use "neighborly" when you want to emphasize the positive, supportive relationships between people who live near each other or are part of the same local community.