friend

Everyday

1. A friend is a person you like and who likes you, who you enjoy being with. tree →
2. A friend is a person who helps or supports you: a friend of the planet. tree →
3. To friend someone online is to add them to your list; to unfriend is to remove them. tree →
4. (casual) Chatty words for a friend: mate (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ), buddy and pal (US, Canada), bestie, bro, bud, BFF (best friend forever). tree →
5. (casual) «Mate» or «buddy» can also be said to a stranger, friendly or with a warning: «Oi, mate, that's my seat.» tree →
6. (casual) «Just friends» means not boyfriend and girlfriend. tree →
7. (formal) The exam voice says «companion», «associate», «acquaintance», «peer», «a fellow pupil». tree →

In the lessons

the person who gives or receives, or who gets an equal share («gives 7 to a friend» = subtract, «shares among 4 friends» = divide); in everyday life making friends, best friend, being a good friend; in online safety, only accept friends you know in real life; in casual talk «mate», «bestie», «bro»; in gossip «they're not friends any more»; in the exam voice «his four companions», «a peer», «an associate»

Examples

• Anna has 13 shells. Anna gives 7 shells to a friend. How many shells are left? tree →
• A friend gives Anna 5 more stickers. tree →
• Raj shares 16 sweets among 4 friends. tree →
• Lily is my best friend. tree →
• Be a good friend and share your toys. tree →
• I made a new friend at the park. tree →
• A dog can be a great friend. tree →
• Only chat online with friends you know in real life. tree →
• me n 3 mates going to the pool, 4 tickets pls tree →
• Oi mate, that's my seat, shove off. tree →
• Did you hear? Mia and Zoe aren't friends any more. tree →
• Raj distributes 16 confections equally amongst his 4 companions; state the number received by each companion. tree →
• Piraeus is my very best friend." tree →

Note

Spelling: «i» before «e»: f-r-i-e-n-d. Check the direction: «gives … to a friend» = subtract; «a friend gives you more» = add; «among N friends» = divide. Trap: «she and 3 friends» or «me and 3 mates» is 4 people, not 3. «mate» and «buddy» said to a stranger are not a sign of friendship; the tone tells if it is friendly or a warning. «companions» in an exam are just friends.

In Jewish tradition

A close companion; it is also used for any fellow person or neighbour.

Interpretation. God speaking to Moses "as a man speaks to his friend" shows how close Moses was; tradition says no other prophet was so near.

Examples

• And the LORD spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. (Torah EXO.33.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath his friend, and Phicol the captain of his host. (Torah GEN.26.26, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Judah sent the kid of the goats by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the woman's hand; but he found her not. (Torah GEN.38.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. (Writings SNG.5.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. (Writings JOB.19.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• A froward man soweth strife; and a whisperer separateth familiar friends. (Writings PRO.16.28, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: «i» before «e»: f-r-i-e-n-d. Check the direction: «gives … to a friend» = subtract; «a friend gives you more» = add; «among N friends» = divide. Trap: «she and 3 friends» or «me and 3 mates» is 4 people, not 3. «mate» and «buddy» said to a stranger are not a sign of friendship; the tone tells if it is friendly or a warning. «companions» in an exam are just friends.