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friendly

/ˈfɹɛnd.li/
adjectivenounadverb

FRIENDLY meaning: warm and approachable; this eight-letter word scores 15 Scrabble points, with no anagrams or one-letter neighbours.

NWL Collins ENABLE

Adjective 4 meanings

  1. Generally warm, approachable and easy to relate with in character.

    “Your cat seems very friendly.”

  2. Inviting, characteristic of friendliness.

    “He gave a friendly smile.”

  3. Having an easy or accepting relationship with something.

    “a user-friendly software program”

  4. Compatible with, or not damaging to (the compounded noun).

    “The cobbled streets aren't very bike-friendly.”

Noun 2 meanings

  1. A game which is of no consequence in terms of ranking, betting, etc.

    “This match is merely a friendly, so don't worry too much about it.”

  2. A person or entity on the same side as one's own in a conflict.

Adverb 1 meaning

  1. In a friendly manner; like a friend.

Definitions: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA) via Kaikki/Wiktextract

Where it comes from

Etymology

From Middle English frendly, freendly, frendely, frendlich, from Old English frēondlīċ, from Proto-Germanic *frijōndlīkaz, equivalent to friend + -ly.

Similar and opposite words

Similar
chummyfamiliaraffectionateamiablebonhomousamicablecompanionablecongenial
Opposite
hostileunfriendlynonfriendlybrusquestandoffish

FRIENDLY describes a person who is warm, approachable and easy to relate to. It also describes something that feels welcoming. In games, the word stands out for its 15-point face-value Scrabble score, but swapping one letter does not produce a listed neighbour. Its ending also connects it to 12 rhyming words, including KINDLY and HARDLY.

FRIENDLY meaning and quick word facts

  • FRIENDLY has eight letters and means warm, approachable or inviting.
  • Its Scrabble tile values add up to 15 points before board bonuses.
  • There are no anagrams of FRIENDLY in the available word list.
  • HARDLY, KINDLY and SADLY share its DLY rhyme ending.

What does FRIENDLY mean?

FRIENDLY most often describes someone who is kind, warm and easy to approach. A friendly neighbour or colleague puts others at ease; a friendly smile signals a welcoming attitude.

The word also has less everyday senses: a friendly game is played without ranking or betting consequences, and a friendly person or group can be on your side in a conflict. For objects or settings, it can mean inviting or welcoming.

FRIENDLY Scrabble score, rhymes and word forms

FRIENDLY scores 15 points from its tiles: F and Y are worth four each, D is worth two, and R, I, E, N and L are worth one each. That makes the two four-point letters the main scoring pieces; place either on a premium square when the board allows it.

No anagrams or one-letter neighbours appear for FRIENDLY, so a rack built from the same letters has no alternate entry here. Rhymes are more plentiful: KINDLY and HARDLY share the DLY ending, alongside BADLY, SADLY and DEADLY. The rhyme is a sound match, not a clue that these words share FRIENDLY’s meaning.

Rhymes with friendly

All rhymes

Questions people ask

What does friendly mean?
Friendly means warm, approachable and easy to relate to. It can describe a person, an inviting place or a game played without ranking or betting consequences. In a conflict, a friendly person or entity is on your side.
How many points is FRIENDLY in Scrabble?
FRIENDLY is worth 15 points from its letter tiles, before any board bonuses. F and Y contribute four points each, D contributes two, and the other five tiles contribute one point apiece.
Are there anagrams of FRIENDLY?
No anagrams of FRIENDLY appear in the available word list. The letters are F, R, I, E, N, D, L and Y; the listed rhymes, such as KINDLY and HARDLY, are different words rather than rearrangements.

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