What does unfriendlily mean?
Unfriendlily is the adverb form of unfriendly. It describes the manner in which an action is performed, especially when that manner is cold, curt, or unwelcoming. For example, a person may be unfriendly in general, while a single reply may be delivered unfriendlily. The word is used in formal and informal contexts in both British and American English, although the expression "in an unfriendly manner" is somewhat more common. Unfriendlily is especially useful when the focus is on observable behaviour: a tone of voice, a greeting, a response, or the treatment of another person. Because it can imply active discouragement or social coldness, it may carry a stronger connotation than the broader adjective unfriendly. Its distinctive -ly ending allows speakers to attribute unfriendliness directly to an act rather than simply to someone's character.
adverbIn a manner that is unfriendly, cold, or unwelcoming.
- In an unfriendly, cold, or unwelcoming manner.
"He replied unfriendlily, making it clear that he did not want to continue the conversation."
"She was greeted unfriendlily by a receptionist who barely looked up from her desk."
"The proposal was discussed unfriendlily, and several participants openly challenged the chair's decision."
Unfriendlily is to unfriendly what coldly is to cold: it shifts the focus from a character or situation to the manner of an action.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unfriendlily come from?
Unfriendlily was formed adverbially from unfriendly by adding the suffix -ly. Unfriendly combines the Latin-derived negative prefix un- with friendly, which is based on friend; friend comes from Old English frēond, meaning a loved or valued companion. Related forms such as friendship and befriend belong to the same wider word family.
How unfriendlily is actually used
The word is standard in British and American English but is less frequent than the fuller phrase "in an unfriendly manner." It often suggests a curt, cold, or visibly unwelcoming manner rather than simple disagreement.
Easily confused with unfriendlily
Unfriendly is primarily an adjective describing a person, place, attitude, or manner, whereas unfriendlily is an adverb describing how an action is performed.