Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense friends, present participle friending, past participle friended
1. countable noun
A friend is someone who you know well and like, but who is not related to you.
I had a long talk about this with my best friend.
She never was a close friend of mine. [+ of]
...Sara's old friend, Ogden.
Synonyms: companion, pal [informal], mate [informal], buddy [informal] More Synonyms of friend
2. plural noun
If you are friendswith someone, you are their friend and they are yours.
I still wanted to be friends with Alison. [+ with]
We remained good friends.
Sally and I became friends.
3. plural noun & countable noun
The friendsof a country, cause, organization, or a famous politician are the people and organizations who help and support them.
...the friends of capitalism.
...The Friends of Birmingham Royal Ballet. [+ of]
Synonyms: supporter, ally, associate, sponsor More Synonyms of friend
4. countable noun
If one country refers to another as a friend, they mean that the other country is not an enemy of theirs.
Do Italy's friends and partners have to accept the situation?
5.
See to make friends
6. verb
If you friend someone, you ask them to be your friend on a social media website, so that you can see each other's posts.
People you have friended on Facebook could be complete strangers in real life. [V n on]
He friended dozens of other graduates of his college. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: add, follow More Synonyms of friend
friend in British English
(frɛnd)
noun
1.
a person known well to another and regarded with liking, affection, and loyalty; an intimate
2.
an acquaintance or associate
3.
an ally in a fight or cause; supporter
4.
a fellow member of a party, society, etc
5.
a patron or supporter
a friend of the opera
6. be friends
7. make friends
verb(transitive)
8.
to add (a person) to one's list of contacts on a social networking website
9. an archaic word for befriend
Derived forms
friendless (ˈfriendless)
adjective
friendlessness (ˈfriendlessness)
noun
friendship (ˈfriendship)
noun
friending (ˈfriending)
noun
Word origin
Old English frēond; related to Old Saxon friund, Old Norse frǣndi, Gothic frijōnds, Old High German friunt
Friend in British English1
(frɛnd)
noun
a member of the Religious Society of Friends; Quaker
Friend in British English2
(frɛnd)
noun
trademark mountaineering
a device consisting of a shaft with double-headed spring-loaded cams that can be wedged in a crack to provide an anchor point
friend in American English
(frɛnd)
noun
1.
a person whom one knows well and is fond of; intimate associate; close acquaintance
2.
a person on the same side in a struggle; one who is not an enemy or foe; ally
3.
a supporter or sympathizer
a friend of labor
4.
something thought of as like a friend in being helpful, reliable, etc.
5. [F-]
any member of the Society of Friends; Quaker
verb transitive
6. Archaic
to act as a friend to; befriend
Idioms:
make (or be) friends with
Derived forms
friendless (ˈfriendless)
adjective
friendlessness (ˈfriendlessness)
noun
Word origin
ME frend < OE freond, friend, lover, akin to Ger freund, prp. of Gmc *frijon, to love (> OE freon): for IE base see free
Examples of 'friend' in a sentence
friend
We are still friends and we talk all the time.
The Sun (2016)
Try to find out what her friends talk about.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Old friends greet each other across the room.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She said they had been together for ages and had become more like friends than lovers.
The Sun (2016)
The sparrow was declared a friend of the people once more.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
That could change in a heartbeat when your most serious friend makes an intriguing introduction.
The Sun (2016)
There is a difference between intimacy and social contact, close friends and acquaintances.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Everyone's good friends and we want it to remain that way.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A friend of mine ended up in tears through the bullying.
The Sun (2016)
I've seen too many friends who are famous who live strange lives.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She enjoyed getting in touch with old and new friends.
The Sun (2012)
Your quietest friend helps you make money.
The Sun (2014)
The study also found fitter people had fewer friends.
The Sun (2016)
But one friend of mine was amazed at just how flexible this famous bureaucracy can be.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You end up with three new friends instead of one?
Christianity Today (2000)
Another single friend relays a similar tale.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We held a small memorial service at the house with close family and friends.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The person will fail to recognise various old friends and acquaintances.
Thomas Blaikie Blaikie's Guide to Modern Manners (2005)
We do not make conscious calculations each time we make a friend or do a favour.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Losing him as a friend and an ally on set really shook her up.
The Sun (2013)
We parted for good but remained good friends.
The Sun (2012)
The coaches once again team up with their famous friends.
The Sun (2014)
They are not especially close friends but we know them well enough.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
What about their friends in the public school down the road?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They become like a friend for the extent of the show.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Imagine the list of friends and relatives who would be brought in.
O'Keeffe, John Your One Week Way to Mind-Fitness (1994)
Treating a difficult person like a friend helps at home and at work.
The Sun (2006)
You could find your perfect partner when you help a friend look for a new home.
The Sun (2008)
The two men are old friends.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This week, my friend added his own postscript.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Your enemies are your friends, your friends are your family and your family is theenemy.
The Sun (2008)
I had a close friend in the Royal Marines.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Quotations
A friend should bear his friend's infirmitiesWilliam ShakespeareJulius Caesar
The belongings of friends are commonAristotle
My best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sakeAristotleNicomachean Ethics
Friends are born, not madeHenry AdamsThe Education of Henry Adams
I count myself nothing else so happy As in a soul remembering my good friendsWilliam ShakespeareRichard II
True happiness Consists not in the multitude of friends, But in the worth and choiceBen JonsonCynthia's Revels
Friends are God's apology for relativesHugh Kingsmill
Old friends are the best. King James used to call for his old shoes; for they were easiest for his feetJohn SeldonTable Talk
Old friends are the blessing of one's later years - half a word conveys one's meaningHorace Walpole
The only way to have a friend is to be oneRalph Waldo EmersonEssays: First Series
When your friend holds you affectionately by both hands you are safe, for you can watch both hisAmbrose Bierce
A friend in need is a friend indeed
Word lists with
friend
Social networking terms
In other languages
friend
British English: friend /frɛnd/ NOUN
A friend is someone who you know well and like, but who is not related to you.
She's my best friend.
American English: friend
Arabic: صَدِيق
Brazilian Portuguese: amigo
Chinese: 朋友
Croatian: prijatelj
Czech: přítel
Danish: ven
Dutch: vriend
European Spanish: amigo colega
Finnish: ystävä
French: ami
German: Freund
Greek: φίλος
Italian: amico
Japanese: 友だち
Korean: 친구
Norwegian: venn
Polish: przyjaciel
European Portuguese: amigo
Romanian: prieten
Russian: друг
Latin American Spanish: amigo
Swedish: vän
Thai: เพื่อน
Turkish: arkadaş
Ukrainian: друг
Vietnamese: bạn
All related terms of 'friend'
best friend
a dearest friend
friend zone
a notional area populated by people one wishes to retain as friends but not consider as potential romantic partners
lady friend
Someone's lady friend is the woman with whom they are having a romantic or sexual relationship .
next friend
(formerly) a person acting on behalf of an infant or other person under legal disability
pen friend
A pen-friend is someone you write friendly letters to and receive letters from, although the two of you may never have met .
bosom friend
an intimate friend
false friend
a word or expression in one language that, because it resembles one in another language, is often wrongly taken to have the same meaning , for example , the French agenda which means diary , not agenda
family friend
a person who has friendly relations with a whole family
furry friend
a pet , esp a cat or a dog
school friend
A school friend is a friend of yours who is at the same school as you, or who used to be at the same school when you were children.
woman friend
a female friend
personal friend
a person who is a friend , rather than a colleague or acquaintance
gentleman friend
a man with whom a woman is romantically involved; suitor
litigation friend
a person acting on behalf of an infant or other person under legal disability
four-legged friend
a four-legged animal, esp a dog
friend at court
an influential acquaintance who can promote one's interests
friend of Dorothy
a homosexual man
fair-weather friend
a person who cannot be relied on in situations of hardship or difficulty
friend of the court
→ amicus curiae
plumber's helper
→ plunger (sense 2 )
Chinese translation of 'friend'
friend
(frɛnd)
n(c)
朋友 (péngyou) (个(個), gè)
to be friends是朋友 (shì péngyou)
to be friends with sb是某人的朋友 (shì mǒurén de péngyou)
to make friends交朋友 (jiāo péngyou)
to make friends with sb与(與)某人交朋友 (yǔ mǒurén jiāo péngyou)
the friends of Birmingham Royal Ballet伯明翰皇家芭蕾舞团(團)的赞(贊)助者 (Bómínghàn Huángjiā Bālěiwǔtuán de zànzhùzhě)
All related terms of 'friend'
a close friend
一位密友 yī wèi mìyǒu
a mutual friend
共同的朋友 gòngtóng de péngyou
a friend of hers
她的一个(個)朋友 tā de yī gè péngyou
a friend of his
他的一个(個)朋友 tā de yī gè péngyou
a friend of mine
我的一个(個)朋友 wǒ de yī gè péngyou
a friend of ours
我们(們)的一个(個)朋友 wǒmen de yī gè péngyou
a friend of theirs
他们(們)/她们(們)的一个(個)朋友 tāmen/tāmen de yī gè péngyou
a friend of yours
你/你们(們)的一个(個)朋友 nǐ/nǐmen de yī gè péngyou
woman doctor/friend
女医(醫)生/女性朋友 nǚ yīshēng/nǚxìng péngyou
a friend of ours/mine
我们(們)/我的一个(個)朋友 wǒmen/wǒ de yī gè péngyou
I sold it to a friend
我把它卖(賣)给(給)了一个(個)朋友 wǒ bǎ tā màigěile yī gè péngyou
1 (noun)
Definition
a person known well to another and regarded with liking, affection, and loyalty
I had a long talk with my best friend.
Synonyms
companion
He has been her constant companion for the last six years.
pal (informal)
We've been pals for years.
mate (informal)
A mate of mine used to play soccer for Liverpool.
buddy (informal)
We became great buddies.
partner
china (British, South Africa, informal)
How are you, my old china?
familiar
best friend
intimate
They are to have an autumn wedding, an intimate of the couple confides.
close friend
comrade
Unlike so many of his comrades, he survived the war.
chum (informal)
My dear old chum, what you tell me won't go any further.
crony
his weekend drinking sessions with his cronies
alter ego
confidant
playmate
Children benefit from having regular playmates.
confidante
blood (British, slang)
A mate of mine used to play soccer for Liverpool.
main man (slang, mainly US)
soul mate
homeboy (slang, mainly US)
cobber (Australian, New Zealand)
He was just acting big in front of his cobbers.
cuzzie or cuzzie-bro (New Zealand)
E hoa (New Zealand, old-fashioned, informal)
bosom friend
boon companion
Achates
Opposites
rival
,
enemy
,
opponent
,
competitor
,
foe
,
adversary
,
antagonist
2 (noun)
Definition
a patron or supporter
the Friends of Birmingham Royal Ballet
Synonyms
supporter
a major supporter of the tax reform plan
ally
She is a close ally of the Prime Minister.
associate
the restaurant owner's business associates
sponsor
the new sponsors of the world championships
advocate
He was a strong advocate of free market policies.
patron
Catherine the Great was a patron of the arts and sciences.
backer
He became a backer of reform at the height of the crisis.
partisan
At first the young poet was a partisan of the Revolution.
protagonist
an active protagonist of his country's membership of the EU
benefactor
In his old age he became a benefactor of the arts.
adherent
Communism was gaining adherents in Latin America.
well-wisher
(verb)
Synonyms
add
follow
Opposites
defriend
,
unfollow
Quotations
A friend should bear his friend's infirmities [William Shakespeare – Julius Caesar]The belongings of friends are common [Aristotle]My best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sake [Aristotle – Nicomachean Ethics]Friends are born, not made [Henry Adams – The Education of Henry Adams]I count myself nothing else so happy As in a soul remembering my good friends [William Shakespeare – Richard II]True happiness Consists not in the multitude of friends, But in the worth and choice [Ben Jonson – Cynthia's Revels]Friends are God's apology for relatives [Hugh Kingsmill]Old friends are the best. King James used to call for his old shoes; for they were easiest for his feet [John Seldon – Table Talk]Old friends are the blessing of one's later years - half a word conveys one's meaning [Horace Walpole]The only way to have a friend is to be one [Ralph Waldo Emerson – Essays: First Series]When your friend holds you affectionately by both hands you are safe, for you can watch both his [Ambrose Bierce]
proverb
A friend in need is a friend indeed
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adherent
Definition
a supporter or follower
Communism was gaining adherents in Latin America.
Synonyms
supporter,
fan,
advocate,
follower,
admirer,
partisan,
disciple,
protagonist,
devotee,
or woman or person">henchman or woman or person,
hanger-on,
upholder,
sectary,
votary
in the sense of advocate
Definition
a person who upholds or defends a cause or course of action
He was a strong advocate of free market policies.
Synonyms
supporter,
spokesman or woman or person,
champion,
defender,
speaker,
pleader,
campaigner,
promoter,
counsellor,
backer,
proponent,
apostle,
apologist,
upholder,
proposer
in the sense of ally
Definition
a country, person, or group with an agreement to support another
She is a close ally of the Prime Minister.
Synonyms
partner,
friend,
colleague,
associate,
mate (informal),
or blud">blood or blud (British, slang),
accessory,
comrade,
helper,
collaborator,
accomplice,
confederate,
co-worker,
main man (slang, US),
bedfellow,
cobber (Australian, New Zealand, old-fashioned, informal),
coadjutor (rare),
abettor,
E hoa (New Zealand)
Synonyms of 'friend'
friend
Explore 'friend' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of intimate
Definition
a close friend
They are to have an autumn wedding, an intimate of the couple confides.
Synonyms
friend,
close friend,
buddy (informal),
mate (informal),
pal,
comrade,
chum (informal),
mucker (British, slang),
crony,
main man (slang, US),
china (British, slang),
homeboy (slang, US),
cobber (Australian, New Zealand, old-fashioned, informal),
bosom friend,
familiar,
confidant or confidante,
(constant) companion,
gossip (archaic),
E hoa (New Zealand)
in the sense of mate
Definition
a friend: often used as a term of address between males
A mate of mine used to play soccer for Liverpool.
Synonyms
friend,
pal (informal),
companion,
buddy (informal),
china (British, slang, old-fashioned),
cock (British, informal),
comrade,
chum (informal),
mucker (British, informal, old-fashioned),
crony,
or blud">blood or blud (British, slang),
main man (slang, US),
homeboy (slang, US),
cobber (Australian, New Zealand, old-fashioned, informal),
E hoa (New Zealand),
M8
in the sense of pal
Definition
a close friend
We've been pals for years.
Synonyms
friend,
companion,
mate (informal),
buddy (informal),
comrade,
chum (informal),
crony,
cock (British, informal),
or blud">blood or blud (British, slang),
main man (slang, US),
homeboy (slang, US),
cobber (Australian, New Zealand, old-fashioned, informal),
boon companion (old-fashioned),
E hoa (New Zealand)
in the sense of partisan
Definition
a person who supports a particular cause or party
At first the young poet was a partisan of the Revolution.
Synonyms
supporter,
champion,
follower,
backer,
disciple,
stalwart,
devotee,
adherent,
upholder,
votary
in the sense of patron
Definition
a person who financially supports artists, writers, musicians, or charities
Catherine the Great was a patron of the arts and sciences.
Synonyms
supporter,
friend,
champion,
defender,
sponsor,
guardian,
angel (informal),
advocate,
backer,
helper,
protagonist,
protector,
benefactor,
philanthropist
in the sense of playmate
Definition
a companion in play
Children benefit from having regular playmates.
Synonyms
friend,
companion,
comrade,
chum (informal),
pal (informal),
cobber (Australian, New Zealand, old-fashioned, informal),
playfellow
in the sense of protagonist
Definition
a supporter of a cause
an active protagonist of his country's membership of the EU
Synonyms
supporter,
leader,
champion,
advocate,
exponent,
mainstay,
prime mover,
standard-bearer,
moving spirit,
torchbearer
in the sense of sponsor
Definition
a person or group that promotes another person or group in an activity or the activity itself, either for profit or for charity