What does neighborly mean?
Neighborly describes conduct marked by friendliness, consideration, and a willingness to help people who live nearby. It often appears in phrases such as “neighborly relations” or “neighborly behavior,” emphasizing the way neighbors treat one another in a shared community. The word carries a positive connotation and suggests more than simple personal friendliness: it implies mutual respect, cooperation, and concern for the local community. In everyday conversation, “friendly” may sound more natural, while “neighborly” is especially useful when discussing civic-mindedness, community relations, or the quality of an interaction between residents. Although primarily an adjective, it also gives rise to the noun “neighborliness.”
adjectiveFriendly, considerate, and helpful toward one's neighbors or neighboring community. It can also describe behavior that reflects goodwill between people who live near one another.
- Friendly, considerate, and helpful toward neighbors or the neighboring community.
"The council organized a neighborly clean-up to help residents improve the shared park."
"She was known for her neighborly support during difficult times."
"The two families settled their disagreement in a remarkably neighborly way."
A neighborly word is a small reminder that kindness often begins with the people closest to home.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does neighborly come from?
“Neighborly” is formed from “neighbor” or its spelling variant “neighbour” plus the suffix “-ly.” The base word comes from Old English “nēahbur,” literally “near-dweller,” combining the idea of being near with “būr,” meaning a dwelling or fortified place. English forms in “-hood,” “-ing,” and “-ly” developed from this older base, while related forms appear in other Germanic languages.
Related word forms
How neighborly is actually used
The word is approving and commonly describes personal conduct, attitudes, or relations. It is more common in formal or reflective contexts than in everyday speech, where a simpler term such as “friendly” may be preferred.