friend
/frend/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A person you know well and like. Friends usually trust each other, help each other, and spend time together.
- She is my best friend.
- I met an old friend yesterday.
- He made friends quickly.
verb
To add someone as a friend on social media, especially on Facebook.
- Did you friend me on Facebook?
- She friended her classmate online.
- I don't friend strangers.
Adinary Nuance
A friend is stronger than an acquaintance, who is only someone you know casually. It is also broader than best friend, which means your closest friend. In formal writing, people may say companion, colleague, or associate instead, depending on the relationship.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- bạn bè
- Spanish
- amigo
- Chinese
- 朋友
- Japanese
- 友達
- Korean
- 친구
Etymology
Old English frēond meant 'friend' or 'lover'. It comes from a Germanic root meaning 'to love' or 'to favor'.
Common phrases
best friendclose friendmake friendsfriends and family
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a friend and an acquaintance?
- A friend is someone you know well and trust. An acquaintance is someone you know, but not closely.
- Is friend a formal word?
- No. Friend is a common, everyday word. In formal writing, other words may fit better.
- Can friend be used as a verb?
- Yes, but mainly online. It means to add someone as a social media contact.
- What does best friend mean?
- A best friend is your closest friend. It often means the person you trust most.