# unfriendly

/ənˈfɹɛndɫi/ (US) · /ʌnfɹˈɛndli/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unfriendly
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

not kind or pleasant to other people. You use this to describe someone who does not want to be helpful or social.

For teachers: lacking kindness, warmth, or sociability; showing a lack of hospitality or goodwill. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'seem' or 'appear'.

## Examples

- The shop assistant was quite unfriendly to us.
- The new neighbors seemed a bit unfriendly at first because they never waved or said hello.
- Despite the host's polite words, his stiff body language and lack of eye contact created an unfriendly atmosphere that made the guests feel unwelcome.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He spoke to me in an unfriendly way." but "He was unfriendly to me." — While 'unfriendly' looks like an adverb because of the -ly ending, it is an adjective; to use it as an adverb, you must use the phrase 'in an unfriendly way'.

## Usage notes

- Often followed by the preposition 'to' when directed at a person.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.