online friend
Internet-only acquaintance
An online friend is someone you know primarily or exclusively through internet interactions—social media, gaming, forums, or messaging—rather than face-to-face contact.
The relationship may be as meaningful as any other friendship, though some distinguish online friends from "real" friends: We've been online friends for years but never met in person.
The term acknowledges that genuine connection can develop without physical proximity.
- internetInterconnected computer systems
- chatInformal verbal exchange
- voice chatReal-time spoken communication online
- group chatShared messaging conversation
- virtualExisting in effect, not fact
penpal · gamer · Discord · screen · username · avatar · screen name · connection · long distance · miles · timezone · typing · emoji · bond · trust · meetup · real life · IRL
- online relationshipse-pal, pen pal, match, connection, follower
- friendspal, buddy, pals, buddies, bestfriend
- acquaintancesacquaintance, familiar face, nodding acquaintance, associate, social contact
- online usersnetizen, casual user, new user, follower, active user
- online datingdating apps, dating profile, dating profiles, OkCupid, Plenty of Fish
- casual interactionssmall talk, chitchat, waving, smiling, water cooler talk
online friendneighbor
Person living nearby
childhood friend · school friend · work friend · roommate · teammate
online friendbest friend
Most trusted companion
true friend · close friend · lifelong friend · blood brother · soulmate
online, friend, line, lines, lined, liner, lining, linear, lineage