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friend

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noun American English pronunciation: friend /frend/ 
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singularfriend
pluralfriends
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    [countable] someone you know well and like, but who is not a member of your family

    She's visiting friends in Illinois.

    close/good/great friend:

    Helga is a close friend of mine.

    friends and relatives/neighbors/acquaintances:

    We stayed with various friends and relatives.

    friend of the family/family friend:

    May I introduce Peter Flint, a very old friend of the family.

    old friend (=one that you have had for a long time):

    I'm having lunch with an old friend.

    circle of friends (=group of friends):

    She has a wide circle of friends.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of friend
    1. a.
      used for referring to a person without mentioning their name

      I'll ask my friend at the office if she knows.

      The letter was signed simply "A friend."

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of friend
    2. b.

      friends

       [plural] if two people are friends, each one is a friend of the other

      They used to be good friends, but they've fallen out recently.

      A lot of couples remain friends after their marriage ends.

      friend with:

      I've been friends with him for years.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of friend
  2. 2
    [countable] a country that has a good relationship with another country

    Japan is a valued friend and partner of this country.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of friend

This is the American English definition of friend. View British English definition of friend.

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