Old cook cleaning around is friendly (9)
I believe the answer is:
congenial
'friendly' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'old cook cleaning around' is the wordplay.
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'cook' is an anagram indicator.
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'cleaning' anagrammed gives 'cngenial'.
'o' inserted into 'cngenial' is 'CONGENIAL'.
'is' is the link.
(Other definitions for congenial that I've seen before include "Suited to one's taste" , "Having similar interests" , "Harmonious and friendly" , "relaxing" , "Pleasant and agreeable" .)