friend

Universal Words noun person you like 1 a person you know well and like, and who is not usually a member of your family: This is my friend Tom. * Is he a friend of yours? * She's an old friend (= I have known her a long time). * He's one of my best friends. * a close / good friend * a childhood / family / lifelong friend * I heard about it through a friend of a friend. * She has a wide circle of friends. seealsoBOYFRIEND, FAIR-WEATHER, FALSEFRIEND, GIRLFRIEND, PENFRIEND, SCHOOLFRIEND, BEFRIEND supporter 2 a person who supports an organization, a charity, etc., especially by giving or raising money; a person who supports a particular idea, etc: the Friends of St Martin's Hospital * a friend of democracy * Theatre tickets are 10% cheaper for Friends. not enemy 3 a person who has the same interests and opinions as yourself, and will help and support you: You're among friends here-you can speak freely. * His eyes were moving from face to face: friend or foe? silly / annoying person 4 (ironic) used to talk about sb you do not know who has done sth silly or annoying: I wish our friend at the next table would shut up. in parliament / court 5 (in Britain) used by a member of parliament to refer to another member of parliament or by a lawyer to refer to another lawyer in a court of law: my honourable friend, the member for Henley (= in the House of Commons) * my noble friend (= in the House of Lords) * my learned friend (= in a court of law) in religion 6 (Friend) a member of the Society of Friends SYNQUAKER IDIOMS be / make friends (with sb) to be/become a friend of sb: They had a quarrel, but they're friends again now. * Simon finds it hard to make friends with other children. be (just) good friends used to say that two friends are not having a romantic relationship with each other: They gradually got to know each other better but they remained just good friends. a friend in need (is a friend indeed) (saying) a friend who gives you help when you need it (is a true friend) have friends in high places to know important people who can help you: 'How did he get promoted so quickly?' 'Oh, he has friends in high places.' moreatMANn.