besties

Your ride-or-dies

Besties is an affectionate term for best friends, typically used among younger speakers or in casual contexts: We've been besties since middle school.

The word carries a playful, intimate tone—adults using it often do so with ironic self-awareness or genuine warmth: brunch with my besties.

social-bond

BFFs

Closest pals, abbreviated

confidantsTrusted secret-keepers
soulmatesIdeal romantic matches
ride-or-dieUtterly unwavering ally

squad · crew · homies · buddies · pals · chums · amigos · mates · sidekicks · inner circle

intimacy

trust

Confidence in another

secretsConcealed information
heart-to-heartSincere personal discussion
closenessState of proximity

bonding · affection · rapport · empathy · understanding · cherished · supportive · unconditional · attachment · devotion

loyalty

ride-or-die

Utterly unwavering ally

dependableWorthy of trust
reliableConsistently performing as expected
steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable

faithful · devoted · supportive · trustworthy · unwavering · solid · committed · always there · backup · defender

Categories

friend groupssquad, crew, posse, clique, gang
social tiesfriends, pals, buddies, mates, companions
adolescencepuberty, teenager, coming-of-age, growing up, teen
craftingyarn, fabric, glue, scissors, needles
pairspair, pairs, two, duo, duos
chosen familychosen family, found family, framily, kindred spirits, adopted family

Opposites

closeness of relationship

bestiesstrangers

People unknown to you

perfect strangers · enemies · acquaintances · randos · passersby

affective valence

bestiesenemies

Hostile opposing parties

sworn enemies · nemeses · worst enemies · archenemies · arch-enemies

Family

bestial, bestie, besting

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G