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 /əˈkweɪntəns/ 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 companion
the 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 ▲