Amicable | Definition of amicable by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of AMICABLE

: characterized by friendly goodwill : peaceable

— am·i·ca·bil·i·ty \ˌa-mi-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— am·i·ca·ble·ness \ˈa-mi-kə-bəl-nəs\ noun

— am·i·ca·bly \-blē\ adverb

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See amicable defined for kids

Examples of AMICABLE

About a million couples divorce each year in the United States, and most, like my ex and me, start out striving to keep the split amicable. And though you may have good intentions, things can go awry during the traditional I-win-you-lose adversarial process. —Annie Finnigan, Family Circle, 17 Oct. 2008
Instead, with the help of a neighborhood activist, Rob struck out in another direction. He retook his old turf from the dealers who had replaced him and opened a fruit stand and, later, a hot-dog concession. Bright, amicable and assured, Rob so impressed Anderson that the sociologist hired him as a part-time assistant. —Ellis Cose, Newsweek, 30 Aug. 1999
Cops such as William Anderson and Lowell Powell had been Sonny's friends. “I was a policeman and he was something of a thug,” Powell recalled, but nonetheless their dealings were amicable. In the big picture, however, there was no love lost between Sonny and the cops. —Nick Tosches, Vanity Fair, February 1998
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Origin of AMICABLE

Middle English, from Late Latin amicabilis (see amiable)

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to AMICABLE

Synonyms: agreeable, harmonious, compatible, congenial, frictionless, kindred, unanimous, united

Antonyms: disagreeable, discordant, disharmonious, disunited, incompatible, inharmonious, uncongenial

Synonym Discussion of AMICABLE

amicable, neighborly, friendly mean exhibiting goodwill and an absence of antagonism. amicable implies a state of peace and a desire on the part of the parties not to quarrel <maintained amicable relations>. neighborly implies a disposition to live on good terms with others and to be helpful on principle <neighborly concern>. friendly stresses cordiality and often warmth or intimacy of personal relations <sought friendly advice>.

Definition of AMICABLE for Kids

: showing kindness or goodwill <“I only hoped … that the parting could be more amicable than this.” — Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy>

— am·i·ca·bly \-blē\ adverb <chatting amicably>

Learn More About AMICABLE

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "amicable"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "amicable"

Nglish: Translation of "amicable" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "amicable" for Arabic speakers

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