First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1friend
noun \ˈfrend\
: a person who you like and enjoy being with
: a person who helps or supports someone or something (such as a cause or charity)
Full Definition of FRIEND
1
a : one attached to another by affection or esteem b : acquaintance
2
a : one that is not hostile b : one that is of the same nation, party, or group
3
: one that favors or promotes something (as a charity)
4
: a favored companion
5
capitalized : a member of a Christian sect that stresses Inner Light, rejects sacraments and an ordained ministry, and opposes war —called also Quaker
— friend·less \ˈfren(d)-ləs\ adjective
— friend·less·ness noun
— be friends with
: to have a friendship or friendly relationship with
See friend defined for English-language learners
See friend defined for kids
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Examples of FRIEND
- … she … got a job, made friends and managed to write a novel that hit the best-seller lists and stayed there … —Garrison Keillor, 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
- [+]more
Origin of FRIEND
Middle English frend, from Old English frēond; akin to Old High German friunt friend, Old English frēon to love, frēo free
Related to FRIEND
2friend
verb \ˈfrend\
Definition of FRIEND
transitive verb
1
: to act as the friend of : befriend
2
: to include (someone) in a list of designated friends on a person's social networking site
Origin of FRIEND
(see 1friend)
First Known Use: 13th century
FRIENDLESS Defined for Kids
friend
noun \ˈfrend\
Definition of FRIEND for Kids
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·less \-ləs\ adjective
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