What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
amiable
Example
She has an amiable personality that makes her easy to talk to. [amiable: adjective]
Example
The amiable weather made for a perfect day at the beach. [amiable: adjective]
friendly
Example
The new neighbor was very friendly and introduced herself to everyone. [friendly: adjective]
Example
The restaurant had a friendly atmosphere that made us feel comfortable. [friendly: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Friendly is more commonly used than amiable in everyday language. Friendly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while amiable is less common and refers specifically to a gentle and agreeable personality.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between amiable and friendly?
Amiable is slightly more formal than friendly, but both words can be used in both formal and informal contexts.