friends
Your chosen people
Friends are people you share a bond of mutual affection with—not family, not romantic partners, but people you genuinely like and who like you back.
The word covers a spectrum from casual acquaintances to lifelong intimates: We're just friends, She's one of my closest friends.
To be friends with someone is to have this relationship: Are you two friends?
In social media, friends often means people in your network regardless of actual closeness.
Friends with benefits describes a sexual relationship without romantic commitment. (Capitalized Friends is the television series.)
Informal term for friends
- palsInformal term for companions
- confidantsTrusted secret-keepers
- acquaintancesPeople known slightly
- classmatesStudents in same course
colleagues · peers · chums · cronies · playmates · roommates · teammates · housemates
Curved closed shape
- groupAssembled collection of things
- crewWorking team aboard
- squadSmall working group
- gangOrganized criminal group
tribe · clique · network · community · posse · entourage · social circle · inner circle
Confidence in another
- closenessState of proximity
- affectionWarm emotional attachment
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
- secretsConcealed information
heart-to-heart · familiarity · vulnerability · soulmates · bond · confidantes · openness · acceptance
A joining or relation
- togethernessState of close connection
- laughterVocal expression of amusement
- memoriesStored past experiences
- funAmusement or pleasure
hanging out · inside jokes · shared experiences · adventures · road trips · conversations · celebrations · traditions
Support spurring continued effort
- comfortEase or soothing relief
- helpAssistance given
- backingAid or sponsorship
- understandingMental comprehension of something
empathy · advice · reassurance · consolation · care · listening · checking in · being there
Devoted loyalty maintained
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- fidelityLoyalty or exactness
reliability · dependability · commitment · ride-or-die · standing by · trustworthy · true blue · unwavering
People who back something
- collaboratorsPeople who work jointly
- associatesConnected persons or links
- affiliatesConnected member organizations
- partnersJoint venture participants
confederates · comrades · accomplices · coalition · sympathizers · advocates · fellow travelers · friendlies
buddies
Informal term for friends
- palsInformal term for companions
- confidantsTrusted secret-keepers
- acquaintancesPeople known slightly
classmates · colleagues · peers · chums · cronies · playmates · roommates · teammates · housemates · besties
circle
Curved closed shape
gang · tribe · clique · network · community · posse · entourage · social circle · inner circle · crowd
trust
Confidence in another
secrets · heart-to-heart · familiarity · vulnerability · soulmates · bond · confidantes · openness · acceptance · safe space
connection
A joining or relation
- togethernessState of close connection
- laughterVocal expression of amusement
- memoriesStored past experiences
fun · hanging out · inside jokes · shared experiences · adventures · road trips · conversations · celebrations · traditions · milestones
encouragement
Support spurring continued effort
understanding · empathy · advice · reassurance · consolation · care · listening · checking in · being there · venting
faithfulness
Devoted loyalty maintained
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
fidelity · reliability · dependability · commitment · ride-or-die · standing by · trustworthy · true blue · unwavering · solid
supporters
People who back something
- collaboratorsPeople who work jointly
- associatesConnected persons or links
- affiliatesConnected member organizations
partners · confederates · comrades · accomplices · coalition · sympathizers · advocates · fellow travelers · friendlies
- childhoodchildhood, baby, child, kid, toys
- nounsanimals, bags, balls, banks, beds
- peoplepeople, persons, person, individuals, humans
- relationshipsromantic, family, flirting, closeness, romance
- supportsupport, emotional support, moral support, support group, stand by
- things people wantmoney, love, happiness, success, health
friendsenemies
Hostile opposing parties
foes · sworn enemies · adversaries · antagonists · nemeses
friendsstrangers
People unknown to you
complete strangers · outsiders · unknowns · acquaintances · passersby
- best friendMost trusted companion
- old friendLong-established companion
- make friendsEstablish companionship with others
- close friendsDeeply bonded companions
- my friendChosen companion relationship
- just friendsNon-romantic close relationship
friend, friendly, friendship, boyfriend, unfriendly, girlfriend, friendliness, unfriend, befriend