More kind, warm, and welcoming in manner; more inclined to be a friend or show affection.
From Old English 'frēond' (friend, one who loves) combined with the suffix '-ly' (like or having the quality of), then made comparative with '-er.' The root likely connects to 'free' (because friends choose to care).
The word 'friendly' originally meant 'having the qualities of a friend who chooses to care'—but now we use it for strangers and companies, which actually dilutes it; a genuinely friendly person is rarer than we think because real friendship requires choice and effort.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.