friend

A friend is a person who enjoys your company, spends time with you, helps you when you need help, and shows you kindness.

• Ramone, Jamal, and Tony are friends.
• They’ve been friends since they were in preschool together.
• They enjoy being friends.

The word "friend" is extremely common in English. Here are some ways in which it’s used:

• Georgina made some new friends at school.
• It can be difficult to make new friends when you move to a new place.
• Let’s be friends.
• I’m going out tonight with some friends at work.
• After Xavier and Danielle ended their marriage, they still remained friends.
• A friend in need is a friend indeed. (This is a common proverb)

The word "friendship" is a noun that we use to talk about the situation in which friends find themselves.

• Jennifer and Doris have had a strong friendship that has lasted over 40 years.
• They formed a friendship that has lasted for a very long time.
• It’s good to have a lasting friendship.

The word "friendly" is an adjective:

• Everyone at the party was friendly.
• We have some very friendly neighbors.
• To show that she was friendly, the woman waved at us.

Recently, the word "friend" has taken on a new role thanks to Facebook. Whereas we never used to use "friend" as a verb, now we do:

• I friended five new people on Facebook.
• If you friend me, I’ll friend you.
• A girl at school posted a bunch of nasty pictures on Facebook, so I unfriended her.

Note: The verb "make" is often used when friendships are started.

• You make a friend.
• You make friends.
• Jenny made many new friends when she visited Rome.
• Have you made any new friends recently?

Click here to go to the Word of the Day page.

May 6, 2015