amicable

Everyday

1. Amicable means friendly and without arguments, especially when people could have argued. tree →
2. (law, formal) An amicable agreement or divorce is settled calmly, with both sides agreeing. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and news about disagreements: an «amicable split» means people parted calmly. In family life a child may hear that parents had an «amicable divorce». Phrases: «amicable agreement», «amicable relationship», «settle amicably», «part amicably».

Examples

• The two teams had an amicable chat after the match. tree →
• My parents' divorce was amicable, and they are still friends. tree →
• We reached an amicable agreement to share the swing. tree →
• The neighbours settled the fence argument amicably. tree →
• The band split up on amicable terms. tree →
• It is better to sort out problems in an amicable way. tree →
• These amicable relations between the brothers were, however, sometimes interrupted. tree →

Note

Formal; everyday: «friendly». Use «an»: an amicable agreement. Not the same as «amiable» (pleasant, good-natured, about a person), though close.