Meaning of friend in English

Table of contents

Noun
friend
Etymology
Old English frēond, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vriend and German Freund, from an Indo-European root meaning ‘to love’, shared by free
Definitions
1. a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
Examples
- « he was my best friend at the university »
2. an associate who provides assistance
Examples
- « he's a good ally in fight »
- « they were friends of the workers »
Antonyms
- foe
- enemy
Derived terms
- ally
3. a person with whom you are acquainted
Examples
- « I have trouble remembering the names of all my acquaintances »
- « we are friends of the family »
4. a person who backs a politician or a team etc.
Examples
- « all their supporters came out for the game »
- « they are friends of the library »
Derived terms
5. a member of the Religious Society of Friends founded by George Fox (the Friends have never called themselves Quakers)

Famous quotes

« In the tumult of men and events, solitude was my temptation now it is my friend. What other satisfaction can be sought once you have confronted History? »
Charles de Gaulle
« Actually, I started to become an actress because I met someone who was just a friend and I found his life wonderful, I thought, Oh my god, you can travel, you're free, you can do what you want, you're the boss. And then I met an actor and I was in love with him. »
Lea Seydoux
« The best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sake. »
Aristotle
« And as a child I was filled with passionate admiration for acts of civic courage I had seen performed by an elderly military doctor, who was a friend of my family. »
Rene Cassin
« The two most misused words in the entire English vocabulary are love and friendship. A true friend would die for you, so when you start trying to count them on one hand, you don't need any fingers. »
Larry Flynt