crony[noun]Synonyms: associate, buddy, chum, comate, companion, comrade, cully, pal, running mate
Related Idioms: bosom buddy
English Thesaurus: friend, acquaintance, mate, buddy, pal, ... [TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
cro‧ny /ˈkrəʊni $ ˈkroʊni/
noun (
plural cronies)
[countable usually plural][
Date: 1600-1700;
Origin: Probably from Greek chronios 'long-lasting', from chronos 'time']
one of a group of people who spend a lot of time with each other – used to show disapproval
sb’s cronies
the senator’s political cronies [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
friend someone who you know and like very much and enjoy spending time with:
Dad, this is my friend Steve. She’s going to Palm Springs with some friends. I got a letter from a friend from college. Amy’s a close friend of mine. John was a really good friend to me when I had all those problems last year.acquaintance /əˈkweɪnt
əns/ someone who you know and see sometimes, but who is not one of your close friends:
We borrowed the money from one of Paul’s business acquaintances.mate British English informal a friend – used especially about boys or men:
He always goes to the pub with his mates on Friday night. Terry’s an old mate of mine.buddy American English informal a friend – used especially about men or young people:
He’s out playing basketball with some of his high school buddies.pal informal a friend –
pal sounds rather old-fashioned:
They met at school and have remained close pals.crony [usually plural] disapproving a friend – used about powerful people who will help each other even if it is slightly dishonest:
He’s one of the President’s cronies.companion written someone who spends time with you, doing the same things as you – used about animals as well as people:
travelling companions His dog was his constant companion. the perfect companionthe girls informal a woman’s female friends:
We’re having a girls’ night out.the lads British English informal a man’s male friends:
a night out with the lads [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲