friend

Someone you like and trust, and enjoy spending time with.

• She is my best friend.
• We became friends at school.
• Are you still friends with Sam?

How to use it: a friend of someone’s (She is a friend of my brother’s.); friends with someone (I am friends with our neighbour.)

Similar words: pal, mate, buddy

Opposites: enemy

Common phrases: best friend, close friend, friend of mine, old friend

Someone you know a little, perhaps through another person.

• A friend from the club offered me a lift.
• We were introduced by a mutual friend.
• He is a friend of a friend, so I barely know him.

Similar words: acquaintance, contact

Common phrases: mutual friend, friend of someone, friend from work