Bestie vs. Friend — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 2, 2023
Bestie is a term for one's closest friend; Friend is a broader term denoting someone you know and have a bond of mutual affection with.
Difference Between Bestie and Friend
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Bestie often conveys a sense of closeness, implying that among one's circle of friends, this is the person you are closest to. Friend, however, is a more general term, encompassing a variety of relationships, from mere acquaintances to close companions.
When someone refers to a person as their bestie, they're expressing a deeper emotional connection, perhaps sharing secrets, memories, and countless experiences together. In contrast, calling someone a friend might not carry the same depth, as friendships vary in intimacy and duration.
Bestie has an informal and endearing tone, often used in casual conversations, especially among younger individuals. Friend is more neutral and can be used in formal and informal contexts alike, without necessarily suggesting a special closeness.
A bestie is often seen as someone who stands out among all other friends, a go-to person in times of need or joy. A friend, on the other hand, could be someone you occasionally meet, chat with, or even someone from the past with whom you've shared certain phases of life.
While bestie denotes exclusivity, indicating a singular or limited number of people who hold that title in someone's life, friend is inclusive, allowing for a wider range of relationships, from the casual to the intimate.
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Comparison Chart
Depth of Relationship
Usually signifies deep closeness.
Can range from acquaintance to close bond.
Formality
Informal and endearing.
Neutral, suitable for formal and informal contexts.
Exclusivity
Indicates a singular close relationship.
Inclusive of many relationships.
Common Usage
Popular among younger individuals.
Universally understood and used.
Connotations
Emotional connection, countless shared memories.
Mutual affection, varies in intimacy.
Compare with Definitions
Bestie
An informal term indicating deep emotional connection.
I trust my bestie with my deepest secrets.
Friend
A person with whom you share mutual affection.
Everyone needs a friend they can rely on.
Bestie
One's closest friend.
Sarah is my bestie; we share everything.
Friend
An associate who isn't an enemy or stranger.
He's more of a business friend than a personal one.
Bestie
A person one shares countless memories with.
My bestie and I reminisce about our school days often.
Friend
Someone one shares common interests with.
We became friends due to our shared love for music.
Bestie
A go-to person in times of joy or need.
Whenever I'm upset, my bestie is the first person I call.
Friend
A person who supports or favors something.
As an advocate for animals, she's a friend to all pets.
Bestie
An endearing term for someone who stands out among friends.
While I have many friends, Jenny is my bestie.
Friend
A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.
Bestie
(informal) best friend
Friend
A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.
Bestie
(informal) best friend; A term of address for someone, usually used to instruct, to make a statement, or to draw attention.
Friend
A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.
Friend
One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement
Friends of the clean air movement.
Friend
Friend A member of the Society of Friends; a Quaker.
Friend
(Informal) To add (someone) as a friend on a social networking website.
Friend
(Archaic) To befriend.
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
A paramour of either sex.
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)
Friend
Someone known and liked over a period.
I met a friend at the conference last year.
Common Curiosities
Is "bestie" a formal term?
No, "bestie" is informal and is often used in casual conversations.
Which term suggests deeper emotional connection?
Bestie suggests a deeper emotional connection compared to friend.
What does "bestie" primarily signify?
Bestie primarily signifies one's closest friend.
How is "friend" different from "bestie"?
"Friend" is a broader term, encompassing various levels of closeness, whereas "bestie" denotes a deeper, more intimate bond.
Is "bestie" a universal term across all age groups?
While understood by all, "bestie" is especially popular among younger individuals.
Are all friends "besties"?
No, while all besties are friends, not all friends are considered besties due to varying levels of intimacy.
Is "friend" suitable for formal contexts?
Yes, "friend" is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal settings.
Can businesses be "friends"?
In context, businesses can be "friends" in terms of partnerships or collaborations.
Can "friend" imply a casual acquaintance?
Yes, "friend" can range from a mere acquaintance to a close confidant.
Does "bestie" indicate longevity in a relationship?
Often, but not necessarily. It's more about depth and closeness than duration.
Can someone have multiple "besties"?
While "bestie" suggests a singular close relationship, it's subjective; some might refer to a few very close friends as "besties."
Does "bestie" have an age limit?
No, while popular among the young, people of all ages can use "bestie" to refer to their closest friend.
Is it common to have numerous friends but one bestie?
Yes, many have a broader circle of friends and a few or one individual they regard as a bestie.
Can a friend turn into a bestie?
Absolutely, as relationships deepen, a friend can become a bestie.
Is the use of "bestie" a recent trend?
While the concept is age-old, the term "bestie" as popular slang has gained traction more recently, especially in social media contexts.
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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.
