friendly
UK: ˈfrendli | US: ˈfrendli
adj. kind and pleasant; showing goodwill
adj. not hostile; amicable
adj. (computing) designed to be easy to use or understand
The word "friendly" originates from Old English "frēondlīc," combining "frēond" (friend) and "-līc" (a suffix forming adjectives meaning "like" or "characteristic of"). Over time, "frēondlīc" evolved into Middle English "frendly," retaining its core meaning of "having the qualities of a friend." The suffix "-ly" is a common Germanic adjectival marker, reinforcing the word's descriptive nature. The modern sense of "easy to use" (e.g., "user-friendly") emerged in the 20th century, extending the metaphor of kindness to inanimate objects.
She gave me a friendly smile when I entered the room.
The two nations maintained friendly relations despite political differences.
This software has a friendly interface for beginners.
The dog wagged its tail in a friendly manner.
The neighbors are always friendly and helpful.