friend
1 of 2noun
ˈfrend 
plural friends
1
a
: one attached to another by affection or esteem
She's my best friend.
b
: acquaintance
2
a
: one that is not hostile
Is he a friend or an enemy?
b
: one that is of the same nation, party, or group
showbiz friends
3
: one that favors or promotes something (such as a charity)
this trend has alarmed friends of the liberal arts
Raymond Walters
Raymond WaltersThe friends of the library will host a fund-raiser.
4
: a favored companion
5
Friend : a member of a Christian sect that stresses Inner Light, rejects sacraments and an ordained ministry, and opposes war
called also Quaker
6
: a person included in a list of one's designated connections (see connection entry 3) on a social media service
A 2012 study found that 57 percent of couples stay Facebook friends after a breakup … Caitlin Dewey
Caitlin Dewey friendless
ˈfren(d)-ləs
adjective friendlessness noun
friend
2 of 2verb
friended; friending; friends
transitive verb
1
: to act as the friend of : befriend
2
: to include (someone) in one's list of designated friends on a social media service
I became more discerning with who I friended on social media. Victoria Song
Victoria SongFor me, Facebook is about staying in touch with people I care about. … But my kids see it differently, as a more casual connection. Hence, my son, who recently turned 21, has 1,000-plus friends. He has apparently friended everyone on God's green earth except his mother. Bella English
Bella English
Did you know?
What's the difference between friends and acquaintances?
People often distinguish between an acquaintance and a friend, holding that the former should be used primarily to refer to someone with whom one is not especially close. Many of the earliest uses of acquaintance were in fact in reference to a person with whom one was very close, but the word is now generally reserved for those who are known only slightly.
Acquaintance is often found paired with nodding. Although nodding acquaintance sounds like it describes a person who is known just enough to nod at, it tends to be used instead to refer to a thing or field with which one has a small amount of knowledge or familiarity (and this is the meaning that the phrase has had since its introduction to the language in the early 19th century).
Synonyms
Noun
- alter ego
- amigo
- buddy
- chum
- compadre
- comrade
- confidant
- confidante
- crony
- familiar
- intimate
- mate [chiefly British]
- musketeer
- pal
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun … she … got a job, made friends and managed to write a novel that hit the best-seller lists and stayed there … Garrison Keillor, The New York Times Book Review, 11 June 2006 Over the last couple of years I have experienced moments of disbelief when I meet my friends in public. They look older than I think they should. Alice Munro, In the Stacks, 2002 Never had a friend like that before or since. Never laughed so hard in my life as I did with Manny. Philip Roth, American Pastoral, 1997 I'd like you to meet my friend. He's no friend of mine.
Garrison Keillor, The New York Times Book Review, 11 June 2006 Over the last couple of years I have experienced moments of disbelief when I meet my friends in public. They look older than I think they should. Alice Munro, In the Stacks, 2002 Never had a friend like that before or since. Never laughed so hard in my life as I did with Manny. Philip Roth, American Pastoral, 1997 I'd like you to meet my friend. He's no friend of mine. Recent Examples on the Web Ni'kesia Pannell, Woman's Day, 17 Sep. 2022 Unlike most Americans, Haslam and his friend Phil Bredesen are trying to offer some counterprogramming. Dan Balz, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Sep. 2022 The model launched her debut clothing line, Guest in Residence, and also took home the Daily Front Row Award for Fashion Collaboration of the Year alongside her close friend Francesca Aiello. Giovana Gelhoren, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2022 Her unidentified friend who also overdosed remained hospitalized and was expected to recover. Christopher Weber, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2022 Rising Star award goes to Find Your Purpose, begun in 2021 by my friend, and fellow Carroll Arts Council board member, Billy Williams, aka, Billy Lyve. Kevin Dayhoff, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2022 Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri honored her late friend with a gown hand-embroidered with his own illustrations printed in silk. Sallie Lewis, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2022 Her unidentified friend who also overdosed remained hospitalized and was expected to recover. Christopher Weber, ajc, 15 Sep. 2022 Even then, Baumann knew his friend was going to go far in her career. Mary Compton, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 1 Sep. 2022 The couple entered the reception and began their first dance to friend Jack Garratt playing a rendition of Sunday Kind of Love by Etta James, backed by the band. Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 14 July 2022 To complete his transformation into Inspector Campbell, the actor turned to friend Liam Neeson. Janaya Wecker, Town & Country, 10 June 2022 Somewhere Good, a platform for audio discussion that launched last month, doesn’t allow users to send each other direct messages or follow or friend each other to minimize abuse and social comparison. Deepa Seetharaman, WSJ, 4 May 2022 The source for this misconception is a letter from Arendt’s teacher and friend the philosopher Karl Jaspers on December 13, 1963. Seyla Benhabib, The New York Review of Books, 24 Feb. 2022 Elizabeth Leach, left, and Lo Peterson, right, talk to friend Sam Jeet about their recent trips, while sitting in the living room of Lo's home. The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Apr. 2022 Also introduced into evidence was a WhatsApp message dated January 20, 2020, from Bryan to friend, read aloud in court. Pamela Kirkland, CNN, 16 Feb. 2022 Shortly after, Renacci adviser Brad Parscale responded on Facebook, saying Lindell had promised his endorsement to friend Knopp in text messages. Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 14 Feb. 2022 See More
Noun
Shopping for your audiophile friend just got easier with this old school boombox cassette player. Ni'kesia Pannell, Woman's Day, 17 Sep. 2022 Unlike most Americans, Haslam and his friend Phil Bredesen are trying to offer some counterprogramming. Dan Balz, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Sep. 2022 The model launched her debut clothing line, Guest in Residence, and also took home the Daily Front Row Award for Fashion Collaboration of the Year alongside her close friend Francesca Aiello. Giovana Gelhoren, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2022 Her unidentified friend who also overdosed remained hospitalized and was expected to recover. Christopher Weber, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2022 Rising Star award goes to Find Your Purpose, begun in 2021 by my friend, and fellow Carroll Arts Council board member, Billy Williams, aka, Billy Lyve. Kevin Dayhoff, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2022 Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri honored her late friend with a gown hand-embroidered with his own illustrations printed in silk. Sallie Lewis, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2022 Her unidentified friend who also overdosed remained hospitalized and was expected to recover. Christopher Weber, ajc, 15 Sep. 2022 Even then, Baumann knew his friend was going to go far in her career. Mary Compton, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 Verb
The man asked students for their phone numbers and to friend them on social media. Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 1 Sep. 2022 The couple entered the reception and began their first dance to friend Jack Garratt playing a rendition of Sunday Kind of Love by Etta James, backed by the band. Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 14 July 2022 To complete his transformation into Inspector Campbell, the actor turned to friend Liam Neeson. Janaya Wecker, Town & Country, 10 June 2022 Somewhere Good, a platform for audio discussion that launched last month, doesn’t allow users to send each other direct messages or follow or friend each other to minimize abuse and social comparison. Deepa Seetharaman, WSJ, 4 May 2022 The source for this misconception is a letter from Arendt’s teacher and friend the philosopher Karl Jaspers on December 13, 1963. Seyla Benhabib, The New York Review of Books, 24 Feb. 2022 Elizabeth Leach, left, and Lo Peterson, right, talk to friend Sam Jeet about their recent trips, while sitting in the living room of Lo's home. The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Apr. 2022 Also introduced into evidence was a WhatsApp message dated January 20, 2020, from Bryan to friend, read aloud in court. Pamela Kirkland, CNN, 16 Feb. 2022 Shortly after, Renacci adviser Brad Parscale responded on Facebook, saying Lindell had promised his endorsement to friend Knopp in text messages. Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 14 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English frend, from Old English frēond; akin to Old High German friunt friend, Old English frēon to love, frēo free
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing friend
Kids Definition
friend 1 of 2
noun
ˈfrend
1
: a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another person
2
: a person who is not an enemy
friend or foe
3
: a person who helps or supports something
She was a friend to environmental causes.
friend
2 of 2verb
friended; friending
: to include (someone) in a list of designated friends on a social networking site
friends 1 of 2
noun
1
as in buddies
a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another really close friends who like to do everything together and are always sharing secrets Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- buddies
- colleagues
- confidants
- pals
- comrades
- acquaintances
- partners
- chums
- sisters
- brothers
- mates
- compadres
- companions
- confidantes
- cronies
- associates
- intimates
- peers
- amigos
- brethren
- familiars
- musketeers
- allies
- fellows
- supporters
- alter egos
- collaborators
- cohorts
- benefactors
- accomplices
- sports
- sympathizers
- blood brothers
- hearties
- confederates
- pen pals
- hobnobbers
- abettors
- main men
- well-wishers
- friendlies
- abetters
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- enemies
- foes
- opponents
- competitors
- adversaries
- rivals
- antagonists
- archenemies
- nemeses
2
as in supporters
a person who actively supports or favors a cause hopes that the new governor will be a friend to environmental causes Synonyms & Similar Words
- supporters
- advocates
- proponents
- advocators
- exponents
- protagonists
- promoters
- apostles
- boosters
- white knights
- champions
- true believers
- adherents
- backers
- loyalists
- high priests
- paladins
- disciples
- hierophants
- followers
- espousers
- stalwarts
- gospellers
- tub-thumpers
- expounders
- gospelers
- heralds
- cohorts
- partizans
- partisans
- interpreters
- cheerleaders
- encouragers
- fellow travelers
- applauders
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- enemies
- opponents
- adversaries
- foes
- antagonists
- rivals
- critics
- belittlers
- faultfinders
friends
2 of 2verb
as in chums
Synonyms & Similar Words
- chums
- associates
- companies
- befriends
- allies
- travels
- groups
- sorts
- consorts
- couples
- clubs
- hooks up
- teams
- affiliates
- bonds
- bands
- gangs
- confederates
- sides
- ties
- hobnobs
- links
- consociates
- fraternizes
- leagues
- socializes
- pals (around)
- mixes
- rallies
- messes around
- joins
- gets on
- connects
- hangs (around or out)
- collaborates
- cooperates
- knots
- relates
- colludes
- mingles
- gets along
- interrelates
- weds
- runs
- attaches
- conjoins
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- avoids
- shuns
- alienates
- snubs
- estranges
- cold-shoulders
- splits (up)
- breaks up
- splits
- disjoins
- divorces
- disperses
- disbands
- severs
- sunders
- disunites
- dissociates