Neighborly means being friendly, helpful, and considerate toward the people who live near you. When you act in a neighborly way, you might wave hello when you see someone on their porch, offer to help carry heavy groceries, or keep your music at a reasonable volume so you don't disturb others.

Being neighborly creates trust and goodwill in a community. It means respecting shared spaces, like not letting your dog bark all night or keeping your yard tidy. It also means looking out for each other: a neighborly person might water a neighbor's plants while they're on vacation, shovel an elderly neighbor's sidewalk after a snowstorm, or simply take time to chat when paths cross.

The word can describe actions (“That was a very neighborly thing to do”) or people (“She's so neighborly, always ready to lend a hand”). Small neighborly gestures add up to make a neighborhood feel safe and welcoming. When everyone acts neighborly, a street full of strangers gradually becomes a real community where people know and care about each other.