unfriendly

USAGE SUMMARY

'unfriendly' is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a person who is not welcoming or congenial. For example: "He had an unfriendly disposition, so no one wanted to talk to him at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

As for fundamentalist Christian grievances with the school system – perceived as godless and unfriendly to their evangelical cause – Boston pointed out the "incredible mission field" that would be America's public school students.

The Guardian

Keystone XL Pipeline – We support the immediate approval and construction of the Keystone XL and other pipelines that will reduce our reliance on imported oil and natural gas from unstable or unfriendly countries.

The Guardian

Stuart Heritage criticises the idea of our Talk to Me London Day (Yes, London is an unfriendly city – and long may it stay that way, 6 April).

The Guardian - Opinion

"The city on the north bank and the historic district of Temple is almost completely isolated from the river by the dual carriageway of the Victoria Embankment that slices its way along the north bank and – other than its wonderful view – Waterloo Bridge is surprisingly unfriendly for pedestrians," he said.

The Guardian

"I thought maybe people were being unfriendly because I was English.

The Guardian

We didn't speak, but it wasn't unfriendly; we were just enjoying the quiet.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

But now to cap it all, apart from the usual heavy arms onslaught for not staying at home or slumming it in the Med like the rest of us, the poor Blairs are coming in for some extra-unfriendly fire for even thinking of going to the Caribbean in the summer (honestly, my dear, so uncool... and nothing for the kids).

The Guardian - Travel

Who? Josh Lloyd-Watson Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarlandrable lengths to conceal their identity initially – went a Google-unfriendly name, toey hired admirable breakdancers to frequent their first few videos; they gave phone-onlengthsrviews answering only to T and J (with the anonymity veil dropping slightly here and there) and performed in front of a concealf smoke (theirryidentityees of mystery).

The Guardian - Music

'How about the introduction of some cyclist-unfriendly buzzards?' Cyclists, it appears, have gone naughty.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

SIR — You have recently pronounced Enlgand to be divorce-unfriendly.

The Economist

Each machine can churn out 1,600-2,000 padaya day, to be sold for 40% less than branded mass-market products.To bypass the current female-unfriendly distribution system, Aakar aims to sell its machines for 250,000 rupees ($4,000) a time to groups of women.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unfriendly" to describe a person's behavior or an environment that lacks warmth or hospitality. It's a versatile term applicable in various contexts from personal interactions to international relations.

Common error

Avoid using "unfriendly" when describing someone who might be shy or socially anxious. "Unfriendly" implies a deliberate act of hostility or coldness, while shyness is often a matter of discomfort. Instead, consider phrases like "reserved" or "quiet".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unfriendly" primarily functions to describe a noun as exhibiting a lack of warmth, hospitality, or goodwill. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable. It can modify people, places, or abstract concepts to convey a negative or unwelcoming characteristic. The examples show "unfriendly" modifying "city", "countries" and "government".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfriendly" is a versatile adjective used to describe a lack of warmth or hospitality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for diverse contexts. While generally negative, it can sometimes be used neutrally. Synonyms like "hostile" or "cold" offer alternative shades of meaning. Be mindful of the connotation and avoid confusing it with shyness. Given its frequent usage in news and media, it is a commonly understood term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hostile

A more aggressive and actively antagonistic term.

antagonistic

Expresses active opposition or hostility.

inhospitable

Emphasizes the lack of welcome or comfort.

unwelcoming

Highlights a lack of hospitality.

cold

Suggests a lack of warmth or emotion.

standoffish

Suggests aloofness and reluctance to engage.

unsociable

Focuses on the avoidance of social interaction.

distant

Suggests emotional separation or aloofness.

ill-disposed

Implies a negative attitude or feeling.

not amicable

Emphasizes a lack of friendliness or goodwill.

FAQs

How can I use "unfriendly" in a sentence?

"Unfriendly" can describe people (e.g., "He was an unfriendly neighbor"), places (e.g., "The town had an unfriendly atmosphere"), or even abstract concepts (e.g., "The regulations were unfriendly to small businesses").

What are some synonyms for "unfriendly"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "hostile", "inhospitable", "cold", or "unsociable".

Is it always negative to be "unfriendly"?

While generally negative, "unfriendly" can sometimes be used neutrally to describe something that is not conducive to a specific purpose. For example, a device might be described as "user-unfriendly". However, in most cases, it carries a negative connotation.

What's the difference between "unfriendly" and "not friendly"?

While similar, "unfriendly" implies a more active sense of opposition or dislike. "Not friendly" is a more neutral term, simply indicating a lack of friendliness. "Unfriendly" suggests a conscious choice or disposition to be unwelcoming.