See Also: friendly(2)(dictionary)
friendly(1)(dictionary)
eco-friendly(dictionary)
friendly (as used in expressions)(encyclopedia)
friendly society(encyclopedia)
environmentally friendly(dictionary)
friendly 1, adjective(dictionary)
friendly 2, noun(dictionary)
friendly society(dictionary)
ozone-friendly(dictionary)

friendly(1) (iou)



friendly adjective & noun. OE.
[from FRIEND noun + -LY1.]
A. adjective.
Having the qualities or disposition of a friend, disposed to act as a friend, kind. OE.
J. M. Coetzee This morning when I tried to be friendly he shook me off.
Characteristic of or befitting a friend or friends; showing friendship. LME.
M. E. Braddon Jernam acknowledged their courtesy with a friendly nod.
Of a thing: disposed or likely to be helpful; kindly, propitious, favourable, salutary. Foll. by to. LME.
J. Buchan This time they had not the friendly night to shield them.
b. Suitable to one's comfort, convenient. L17.
Addison On the first friendly Bank he throws him down.
Favourably disposed; inclined to approve or help. LME.
J. C. Morison The side of his history from which a friendly biographer would most readily turn away.
Not hostile or in opposition; on amicable terms. (Foll. by to, with.) L16.
J. Wedge Friendly aircraft in the distance. I. McEwan Our families must become friendly for reasons of diplomacy and business.
b. Not proceeding from or carried out with hostility; (of a football match or other game) outside any official competition. L19.
Of things: not jarring or conflicting. Only in 18.
(Friendly.) Of or pertaining to the Society of Friends. L19.
Computing etc. Easy and convenient to use; designed with the needs of users in mind. L20.
Not harmful to the environment. L20.
Appended to nouns to form adjectives with the senses 'adapted to', 'suitable for', 'not harmful to'. L20.
USA Today The most overtly yuppie-friendly show on air.
Special collocations: friendly fire Military gunfire from one's own side, spec. when causing accidental injury or damage to that side. Friendly Society any of various associations providing mutual insurance schemes.
b. noun.
A member of an indigenous people or tribe which is not hostile to invaders. Usu. in pl. M19.
A friendly football match or other game (see sense A.5b above). L19.
friendlily adverb in a friendly manner or spirit, like a friend L17.
friendliness noun L15.