What does friendlily mean?
"Friendlily" is the adverb formed from the adjective "friendly," meaning to act in a warm, kind, or amicable manner. It describes how something is done rather than what something is: a person who smiles friendlily, greets someone friendlily, or settles a dispute friendlily is doing so with goodwill. Despite being perfectly legitimate — built from the Old English root "freond" by way of "friend" and "friendly" — the word is famously awkward. Its string of three similar syllables makes it a tongue-twister, and many style guides and editors steer writers toward smoother substitutes such as "amicably," "cordially," "warmly," or simply "in a friendly manner." As a result, it turns up only occasionally in print, usually when an author deliberately wants the precise flavor of "friendly" in adverbial form. Knowing it exists is useful both for recognizing it and for understanding why English sometimes produces adverbs that even native speakers find unwieldy.
adverbIn a friendly manner; with warmth, kindness, or good will toward others. It is the adverbial form of the adjective "friendly" and is used rarely, chiefly when no other adverb fits.
- In a manner that shows warmth, kindness, or good will; amicably.
"She smiled friendlily and offered the newcomer a seat."
"The two former rivals greeted each other friendlily at the ceremony."
"He nodded friendlily and waved us over to his table."
"Friendlily" is often voted one of the most awkward words in English — a four-syllable mouthful that sounds anything but friendly.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does friendlily come from?
The word traces back to the Old English "freond" (friend), which combined with the adjective suffix "-ly" to give "friendly" in the sense of 'acting like a friend.' The further addition of the adverbial "-ly" produced "friendlily," meaning 'in a friendly way.' It shares this Germanic root with related forms such as "friendship" and the verb "befriend." The double use of the "-ly" suffix — once adjectival, once adverbial — is what gives the word its cumbersome sound.
Related word forms
How friendlily is actually used
"Friendlily" is uncommon and widely regarded as clumsy; writers usually prefer alternatives such as "amicably," "warmly," or a rephrasing with "in a friendly way/manner." It appears mostly in edited prose where the adjective's exact wording must be preserved.
Easily confused with friendlily
"Friendly" is the adjective describing a kind, warm disposition, while "friendlily" is its rare adverbial form describing how an action is performed.