Befriend vs. Friend — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 6, 2024
Befriend involves the act of becoming friends with someone, focusing on the initiation and action. Friend is a noun referring to a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection.
Difference Between Befriend and Friend
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Key Differences
Befriend is the process of initiating a friendship, typically involving reaching out, showing kindness, or support to someone. Whereas friend is a term used to describe someone with whom you share a bond of mutual affection, often excluding family or romantic partners.
Befriending is an action, suggesting a deliberate effort to make someone your friend. On the other hand, being a friend can result from both spontaneous connections and deliberate actions over time.
The term befriend implies a certain level of effort and intention in creating a new friendship. Whereas, calling someone a friend implies that the relationship has already been established and recognizes the mutual connection between individuals.
Befriend can also suggest a sense of responsibility or care towards someone, especially in contexts where someone might need support. A friend, however, is generally someone who is already in your circle and with whom you share experiences and support mutually.
While "befriend" can be seen as a transitional verb indicating the process of friendship formation, "friend" is used as a noun to denote someone who has already achieved that status in one's social circle.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Noun
Definition
To become friends with someone, usually actively
A person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection
Focus
Initiation of friendship
Established relationship
Implication
Effort and intention
Mutual connection and shared experiences
Usage Context
Often used when someone reaches out to support or connect with someone new
Used to refer to someone already in one’s personal social circle
Compare with Definitions
Befriend
To initiate a friendship.
She decided to befriend the new student by inviting him to join their study group.
Friend
A contact on a social media platform.
I have over 500 friends on my social networking profile.
Befriend
To offer friendship towards someone often in need.
He often tries to befriend lonely seniors in his community.
Friend
One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement.
He’s been a friend to the environment, advocating for sustainable practices.
Befriend
To connect with someone with the intention of establishing a friendly relationship.
They moved to a new city and looked to befriend their neighbors.
Friend
Someone who is not hostile.
The diplomat was seen as a friend to all countries.
Befriend
To accept someone into one's circle of friends.
The team quickly befriended the new coach, appreciating his approach.
Friend
A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.
Befriend
To act as a friend, especially to someone socially isolated.
Volunteering at the shelter, she befriended many people in tough situations.
Friend
A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.
Befriend
To behave as a friend to.
Friend
A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.
Befriend
(transitive) To become a friend of, to make friends with.
Friend
One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement
Friends of the clean air movement.
Befriend
To act as a friend to, to assist.
Friend
Friend A member of the Society of Friends; a Quaker.
Befriend
(transitive) To favor.
Friend
(Informal) To add (someone) as a friend on a social networking website.
Befriend
To act as a friend to; to favor; to aid, benefit, or countenance.
By the darkness befriended.
Friend
(Archaic) To befriend.
Befriend
Become friends with;
John and Eric soon became friends
Have you made friends yet in your new environment?
Friend
A person, typically someone other than a family member, spouse or lover, whose company one enjoys and towards whom one feels affection.
John and I have been friends ever since we were roommates at college.
Trust is important between friends.
I used to find it hard to make friends when I was shy.
We became friends in the war and remain friends to this day.
We were friends with some girls from the other school and stayed friends with them.
Friend
An associate who provides assistance.
The Automobile Association is every motorist's friend.
The police is every law-abiding citizen's friend.
Friend
A person with whom one is vaguely or indirectly acquainted.
A friend of a friend;
I added him as a friend on Facebook, but I hardly know
Friend
A person who backs or supports something.
I’m not a friend of cheap wine.
Friend
(informal) An object or idea that can be used for good.
Fruit is your friend.
Friend
Used as a form of address when warning someone.
You’d better watch it, friend.
Friend
(object-oriented programming) A function or class granted special access to the private and protected members of another class.
Friend
(climbing) A spring-loaded camming device.
Friend
(euphemistic) A lover; a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Friend
A relative, a relation by blood or marriage.
Friends agree best at a distance.
Make friends of framet folk.
Friend
To act as a friend to, to befriend; to be friendly to, to help.
Friend
(transitive) To add (a person) to a list of friends on a social networking site; to officially designate (someone) as a friend.
Friend
One who entertains for another such sentiments of esteem, respect, and affection that he seeks his society and welfare; a wellwisher; an intimate associate; sometimes, an attendant.
Want gives to know the flatterer from the friend.
A friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Friend
One not inimical or hostile; one not a foe or enemy; also, one of the same nation, party, kin, etc., whose friendly feelings may be assumed. The word is some times used as a term of friendly address.
Friend, how camest thou in hither?
Friend
One who looks propitiously on a cause, an institution, a project, and the like; a favorer; a promoter; as, a friend to commerce, to poetry, to an institution.
Friend
One of a religious sect characterized by disuse of outward rites and an ordained ministry, by simplicity of dress and speech, and esp. by opposition to war and a desire to live at peace with all men. They are popularly called Quakers.
America was first visited by Friends in 1656.
Friend
To act as the friend of; to favor; to countenance; to befriend.
Fortune friends the bold.
Friend
A person you know well and regard with affection and trust;
He was my best friend at the university
Friend
An associate who provides assistance;
He's a good ally in fight
They were friends of the workers
Friend
A person with whom you are acquainted;
I have trouble remembering the names of all my acquaintances
We are friends of the family
Friend
A person who backs a politician or a team etc.;
All their supporters came out for the game
They are friends of the library
Friend
A member of the Religious Society of Friends founded by George Fox (the Friends have never called themselves Quakers)
Common Curiosities
What qualities make a good friend?
A good friend is trustworthy, supportive, understanding, and shares mutual interests and respect.
What does it mean to befriend someone?
To befriend someone means to initiate or start a friendship with them, often through acts of kindness or support.
How does one typically befriend another?
One can befriend another by showing interest, spending time together, and offering kindness and support.
What role does social media play in friendship?
Social media can help maintain connections and initiate new friendships, though it's vital to foster relationships offline too.
Is befriend the same as making a friend?
Befriend focuses on the action of starting a friendship, while having a friend refers to the state of being in a friendship.
Can friendships start instantly?
While friendships can start with an instant connection, they typically require time to develop depth and trust.
Is it possible to have too many friends?
While having many friends can be enriching, it's important to maintain quality relationships over quantity.
Can you befriend someone you already know?
Yes, you can befriend someone you already know by deepening your connection or offering support, moving from acquaintances to friends.
Can animals be friends with humans?
Yes, animals, especially pets, can form deep, friendship-like bonds with humans based on trust and affection.
How can friendships impact mental health?
Friendships can greatly impact mental health by providing support, reducing stress, and promoting a sense of belonging.
What's the difference between a friend and an acquaintance?
A friend is someone with whom you share a deep, personal connection, while an acquaintance is someone you know but with whom you have a less intimate relationship.
How do online friendships compare to in-person ones?
Online friendships can be just as meaningful as in-person ones, though they may differ in dynamics and interaction patterns.
How do cultural differences affect friendships?
Cultural differences can influence friendship dynamics through varying social norms and expectations, but mutual respect and understanding can bridge differences.
How do you know if someone is a true friend?
A true friend is consistently supportive, trustworthy, and respects your boundaries and well-being.
Can friendships end? If so, why?
Friendships can end due to various reasons, including changes in life situations, conflicts, or growing apart over time.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
