friendly

Kind and pleasant toward other people, and willing to get along with them.

• Our new neighbour is friendly.
• The staff were friendly and helpful.
• Is your dog friendly to strangers?

How to use it: friendly to/towards someone (The neighbours were friendly towards us.)

Similar words: kind, welcoming, amiable

Opposites: unfriendly, hostile

Common phrases: friendly person, friendly to someone, friendly towards someone, friendly cat

Showing warmth, kindness, or a welcoming attitude.

• She gave me a friendly smile.
• We exchanged a few friendly words.
• The café has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Similar words: warm, welcoming, cordial

Opposites: unfriendly, hostile

Common phrases: friendly smile, friendly greeting, friendly atmosphere

A sports match played for practice or enjoyment that does not count toward official rankings.

• We played a friendly yesterday.
• The club arranged three friendlies before the season.
• England won their international friendly by two goals.

Similar words: practice match, exhibition game

Common phrases: play a friendly, international friendly, preseason friendly

A person, force, or vehicle on your own side in a military conflict.

• That soldier is a friendly.
• The patrol checked for friendlies before opening fire.
• The aircraft was identified as a friendly.

Similar words: ally

Opposites: enemy

Common phrases: identify a friendly, nearby friendly, friendly or enemy

In a kind, warm way, as a friend would act.

• She smiled friendly at me.
• He spoke friendly to the newcomer.
• The old woman nodded friendly as we passed.

Similar words: kindly, warmly, amicably

Common phrases: speak friendly, smile friendly, greet someone friendly