Friendship in English: from buddy to BFF

We all have friends — those we laugh with until we cry, share secrets with, and support each other even from afar. Friendship isn’t just about warm hugs and adventures; it’s also about the words that can express these feelings. That’s why it’s worth knowing useful vocabulary to help you talk about friendship in English — from a simple and cozy buddy to the bright and modern BFF.

Contents 

1. Friendship in English: key words and expressions
2. Adjectives for describing friends
3. Types of friends — from close to virtual
4. Describing friends’ actions and behavior in English: useful words and phrases
5. Common mistakes to avoid when talking about friends in English
6. English quotes about friendship with translations
7. FAQs

Friendship in English: key words and expressions

If you think about it, the word friend pops up in almost every movie or song. But when it comes to describing friends and friendship in English, there’s a whole range of words and expressions you can use — each with its own shade of meaning and vibe.

Friend is a classic — the basic word you should know from your very first lessons. If you want to sound more casual, you can go for buddy or pal — they add warmth and friendliness to your speech. The British have their own word — mate, which you’ll often hear in TV shows or at the pub.

• I'm meeting a mate after work.

When we talk about best friends in English, we can also use a more modern version — BFF (best friends forever).

• Sarah is my BFF.

And if the relationship is somewhat less close, you can use acquaintance:

• He’s just an acquaintance from the gym.

When you need to sound formal or ceremonial, you can use:

1. Companions in life
2. Trusted confidants
3. Close acquaintances
4. Kindred spirits
5. Lifelong allies
6. Trusted comrades
7. Reliable friends
8. Faithful companions

• From the first conversation, we knew we were kindred spirits. 
• They have been lifelong allies through every challenge.

And if you want to add a friendly tone to your English conversation, expressions that create a sense of ease in communication will work well. They often appear in TV shows, songs, and everyday chats:

1. Sidekicks
2. Partners in crime 
3. Ride or die friends
4. Soulmates
5. Bros
6. Gals
7. Homies 
8. Crew
9. Peeps
10. Fam
11. Inner circle 

• He’s been my sidekick in every crazy plan.
• The gals are going out for dinner tonight.
• Only my inner circle knows about this project.

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However, you shouldn’t limit yourself to nouns alone. Friendship is about actions, and English has plenty of useful verbs for it:

• to make friends — I made a lot of friends at summer camp.
• to get along (with sb) — Do you get along with your new colleagues?
• to keep in touch — We still keep in touch after all these years.
• to hang out — We usually hang out at the park.
• to catch up (with sb) — Let's have lunch and catch up.
• to have someone's back — Don't worry, I've got your back.
• to be there for sb — Thanks for being there for me. 
• to drift apart — We didn't argue, we just drifted apart.
• to make up — Good friends always make up after a fight.

Adjectives for describing friends

Sometimes, the word friend alone isn’t enough to convey exactly what kind of friend someone is. Are they always ready to help? Do they know how to lift your spirits? Or maybe they’re the kind of person who never lets you down? When talking about friendship in English, it’s important to know adjectives that can bring your story to life, make it emotional and precise, and help your description sound as warm as the friendship itself.

• My supportive friend Anna always helps me during hard times.
• A funny guy like Tom can cheer you up in any situation.
• Emily, my quiet friend, enjoys reading more than parties. 
• A selfish person like Mark only thinks about himself.
• It’s hard to rely on Sophie when she’s being unreliable.

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​Types of friends — from close to virtual

Friendship in the English language, just like in any other language, has many shades. That’s why when talking about a friend in English, it’s worth remembering who is the person you trust with your most intimate secrets, who is your fun partner in adventures, and who is simply a colleague you enjoy chatting with at work.

In today’s world, friendships are not limited to offline meetings: we can have online friends whom we’ve never met in real life, yet still feel a genuine bond with them.

To talk about friendship in English more accurately, it’s helpful to know different words for describing types of friends. This will make your stories and writing more vivid, and in conversation, it will help you immediately understand what kind of relationship is being discussed.

1. Close friend 
2. Childhood friend 
3. School friend 
4. Work friend 
5. Family friend 
6. Online friend 
7. Frenemy (friend + enemy)

• We've been close friends since high school. 
• She is my childhood friend from the same neighbourhood. 
• We invited a family friend to our holiday dinner. 
• In college, my closest frenemy was also my biggest rival. 

Describing friends’ actions and behavior in English: useful words and phrases

Friendship is warm memories, laughter until you cry, and the feeling that there’s someone by your side who understands you without words. But the best kind of friendship is seen through actions. Helping with a move, listening after a tough day, cheering you up when you’re feeling down, or simply being there — these small but meaningful gestures create the true value of a relationship.

• She always cheers me up when I feel down. 
• A true mate listens without judging. 
• Good friends make up quickly after a fight.
• My best friend always has my back when things get tough.

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Common mistakes to avoid when talking about friends in English

Even if you know the basic terms for talking about friends in English, it’s easy to make mistakes that can change the meaning or make your speech sound unnatural to native speakers. One of the most common mistakes is confusing a friend with a boyfriend or girlfriend.

The word friend means only a buddy or companion, not a romantic partner. If you say This is my friend Kate, it will mean she is simply your friend. For romantic relationships, you use boyfriend or girlfriend. For example:
✗ This is my girlfriend Anna. — you shouldn’t say this if you’re talking about just a mate.
✓ Better say — This is my friend Anna.

Another common mistake is overusing the word friend. In Ukrainian, we might keep repeating this word, but English offers plenty of alternatives: mate (BrE), buddy (AmE), pal, close friend, BFF (best friends forever).

• Yesterday I met my old buddy from school.

Problems often arise with direct translations of phrases. A literal translation might confuse the listener.

It’s also important to remember that in English, acquaintance is not a friend, but someone you know on a superficial level. If you say He is my acquaintance, it means you’re not very close. Use: friend, close or good friend.

English quotes about friendship with translations

Some things don’t need explanation — you simply feel them with your heart. Friendship is exactly like that. Sometimes, to convey its true value, it’s worth turning to the precise words of famous people.

We all remember laughing together with the characters from Friends or How I Met Your Mother, feeling for Harry, Ron, and Hermione in Harry Potter, or being moved to tears when Sam carried Frodo in The Lord of the Rings. Friendship comes alive in movies, TV shows, and books — and often, they give us lines we want to remember forever.

“I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end of all things.” — The Lord of the Rings
Context: Sam speaks to Frodo, emphasizing unbreakable friendship even in the darkest of times.

“We accept the love we think we deserve.” — The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky
Context: Charlie shares a lesson about the relationships and friendships we choose.

“Kindred spirits are not as scarce as true love, but it takes time to find them.” — Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery
Context: Anne describes the rare but precious bond she shares with Diana.

“A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey.” — Winnie-the-Pooh, A.A. Milne
Context: Winnie-the-Pooh explains that a day without a friend loses its sweetness.

“You know, the older you get, the more rules they’re gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep living, man.” — Dazed and Confused
Context: A character encourages mates to stay true to themselves despite outside pressure.

“Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” — Dead Poets Society
Context: Mr. Keating inspires his students and friends to take action now and live fully.

“We were not meant to take this journey alone.” — The Bucket List
Context: The characters realize that friendship makes life’s journey truly fulfilling.

“We were on a break!” — Friends
Context: Ross justifies himself to Rachel, and the phrase becomes a running joke in their circle of friends.

FAQs

1. How to describe friends and friendship in English?
Depending on the context, you can use such words and phrases as:

• close friend 
• best friend
• BFF (best friends forever)
• trusted confidant

2. How to introduce your friend in English?

When you’re introducing someone to your friend in English, you can use simple and polite phrases:

• This is my friend [Name].
• Meet my friend [Name].
• I’d like you to meet my friend [Name]. 

3. What questions can help make friends during small talk?

Small talk is a light, casual conversation that helps you find common ground and feel closer to each other. Here are some English questions for a friendly chat:

• How's your day going? 
• What do you usually do on weekends?
• Do you have any hobbies?
• What kind of music do you like?
• Are you from around here?