Friend — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈfrend/

Meaning & Definition of Friend

Friend (noun)

  1. one attached to another by affection or esteem —sometimes used ironically or humorously to refer to a person who is disliked or annoying
  2. acquaintance
  3. one that is not hostile

Friend (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

Friend (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: alter ego, amigo, buddy, chum, compadre, comrade, confidant, confidante, crony, familiar, intimate, mate (chiefly British), musketeer, pal
    related: acquaintance, associate, cohort, colleague, companion, fellow, hearty, hobnobber, partner, peer, sport, blood brother, brother, main man, sister, abettor, accomplice, ally, collaborator, confederate, pen pal, benefactor, supporter, sympathizer, well-wisher, friendly
    opposite: enemy, foe
    near: adversary, antagonist, competitor, opponent, rival, archenemy, nemesis

  2. a person who actively supports or favors a cause

    "hopes that the new governor will be a friend to environmental causes"

    similar: advocate, advocator, apostle, backer, booster, champion, espouser, exponent, expounder, gospeler, herald, hierophant, high priest, paladin, promoter, proponent, protagonist, supporter, true believer, tub-thumper, white knight
    related: loyalist, partisan, stalwart, adherent, cohort, disciple, follower, interpreter, applauder, cheerleader, encourager, fellow traveler
    opposite: adversary, antagonist, opponent
    near: enemy, foe, rival, belittler, critic, faultfinder

Friend (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in befriend

    similar: befriend, associate, chum, company, consociate, consort, fraternize, hang (around or out), hobnob, hook up, mess around, pal (around), run, sort, travel, affiliate, ally, attach, band, bond, club, collaborate, collude, confederate, conjoin, connect, cooperate, couple, gang, get along, get on, group, interrelate, join, knot, league, link, mingle, mix, rally, relate, side, socialize, team, tie, wed
    opposite: avoid, cold-shoulder, shun, snub, alienate, estrange, break up, disband, disperse, split (up), disjoin, dissociate, disunite, divorce, sever, split, sunder

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Friend

The most common words with a similar meaning to Friend:

Chiefly British: mate
alter ego, amigo, buddy, chum, compadre, comrade, confidant, confidante, crony, familiar, intimate, musketeer, pal, advocate, advocator, apostle, backer, booster, champion, espouser, exponent, expounder, gospeler, herald, hierophant, high priest, paladin, promoter, proponent, protagonist, supporter, true believer, tub-thumper, white knight, befriend, associate, company, consociate, consort, fraternize

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Friend

Words with the opposite meaning of Friend:

enemy, foe, adversary, antagonist, opponent, avoid, cold-shoulder, shun, snub, alienate, estrange, break up, disband, disperse, split (up), disjoin, dissociate, disunite, divorce, sever, split, sunder

Related Words for Friend

acquaintance, cohort, colleague, companion, fellow, hearty, hobnobber, partner, peer, sport, blood brother, brother, main man, sister, abettor, accomplice, collaborator, pen pal, benefactor, sympathizer, well-wisher, friendly, loyalist, partisan, stalwart, adherent, disciple, follower, interpreter, applauder

Near Antonyms of Friend

competitor, rival, archenemy, nemesis, belittler, critic, faultfinder

Word Forms of Friend

Inflections: friends, friended, friending

Derived words: friendless (adjective), friendlessness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Friend

Middle English frend, from Old English frēond; akin to Old High German friunt friend, Old English frēon to love, frēo free

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Friend

Words & Phrases Containing Friend

friend of the court, friend with benefits, friend zone, best friend, next friend, a friend in need is a friend indeed, childhood friend, family friend

Frequently Asked Questions about Friend

What does "Friend" mean?

"Friend" means one attached to another by affection or esteem —sometimes used ironically or humorously to refer to a person who is disliked or annoying. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: one attached to another by affection or esteem —sometimes used ironically or humorously to refer to a person who is disliked or annoying. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Friend"?

Other words for "Friend" include alter ego, amigo, buddy, chum, compadre, comrade, confidant and confidante. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Friend" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Friend"?

There are 113 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Friend". Common alternatives include alter ego, amigo, buddy, chum, compadre, comrade, confidant, confidante, crony and familiar.

What is the opposite of "Friend"?

Antonyms of "Friend" include enemy, foe, adversary, antagonist, opponent, avoid, cold-shoulder and shun. Near antonyms include competitor, rival, archenemy and nemesis.

How do you use "Friend" in a sentence?

Examples of "Friend" in a sentence: "really close friends who like to do everything together and are always sharing secrets"; "hopes that the new governor will be a friend to environmental causes".

Is "Friend" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Friend" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Friend" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Friend" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Friend"?

"Friend" is pronounced /ˈfrend/.