friend

friend [ frend ] noun ***

1. ) count someone you know well and like that 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): He's meeting an old friend for lunch.

circle of friends (=group of friends): She has a wide circle of friends.

a ) used for referring to a person without mentioning their name: ACQUAINTANCE:

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

The letter was signed simply A friend.

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.

2. ) count a country that has a good relationship with another country:

Japan is a valued friend and partner of this country.

─ opposite ENEMY

3. ) count someone who supports a particular organization, political movement, etc., especially by giving them money:

Annabel is a friend of the Metropolitan Museum.

friends in high places

people who are powerful and important and who will help you

just (good) friends

used for emphasizing that two people are not having a romantic relationship. People sometimes use this expression to suggest that two people really are having a romantic relationship, even though they claim they are not.

make friends

1. ) to become friends:

make friends with: They made friends with the children next door.

2. ) to form friendships:

You'll make a lot of new friends at college.

no friend of

used for emphasizing that you oppose someone or something:

I personally am no friend of feminism.