Friendship vs. Friend — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 4, 2023
Friendship refers to the bond or relationship between individuals, while a Friend is an individual with whom one shares such a bond.
Difference Between Friendship and Friend
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Friendship and Friend are words that often go hand in hand, describing the affectionate bond between individuals. While Friendship represents the nature and quality of the bond itself, a Friend is a person with whom this bond exists.
Often, when we talk about Friendship, we delve into the feelings, trust, and mutual understanding that binds two or more people. A Friend, on the other hand, denotes one of those individuals in the mutual bond.
The beauty of Friendship lies in its ability to grow and evolve over time, adjusting to life's ups and downs. Meanwhile, a Friend is a constant presence, the person who is by your side, nurturing and supporting this evolving bond.
Friendship can exist in various degrees and can be of different types like platonic, familial, or romantic. However, each Friend plays a distinct role within these friendships, each contributing uniquely to the bond.
It is essential to recognize that while one can have many friends, the quality of Friendship varies. A Friend might come and go, but genuine Friendship stands the test of time.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Relationship or bond.
An individual in the relationship.
Countability
Uncountable (refers to a concept or feeling).
Countable (refers to an individual).
Types/Forms
Can be of various types (platonic, familial, romantic).
Role varies within the type of friendship.
Duration
Can be short-lived or lifelong.
Might change over time, based on life events.
Grammar
Used as a noun to define a type of relationship.
Used as a noun to refer to an individual or as an adjective (friendly).
Compare with Definitions
Friendship
A bond of mutual affection between individuals.
Their Friendship lasted for decades, weathering many storms.
Friend
An individual with whom one has a bond of mutual affection.
Sarah is my best Friend.
Friendship
A feeling or atmosphere of cordiality.
The event was marked by a spirit of Friendship and camaraderie.
Friend
A person whom one knows and trusts.
I consider Mike a true Friend.
Friendship
An association built on trust and understanding.
Their Friendship was founded on mutual respect and trust.
Friend
An ally or supporter in a particular activity.
The senator found a Friend in the lobbyist.
Friendship
Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between people. It is a stronger form of interpersonal bond than an association, and has been studied in academic fields such as communication, sociology, social psychology, anthropology, and philosophy.
Friend
A person added to a list on a social networking site.
I received a Friend request from an old classmate.
Friendship
The quality or condition of being friends.
Friend
Someone not hostile or an enemy.
The neighboring countries are Friends and trade partners.
Friendship
A friendly relationship
Formed new friendships at camp.
Friend
A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.
Friendship
Friendliness; good will
A policy of friendship toward other nations.
Friend
A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.
Friendship
(uncountable) The condition of being friends.
Friend
A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.
Friendship
(countable) A friendly relationship, or a relationship as friends.
Friend
One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement
Friends of the clean air movement.
Friendship
(uncountable) Good will.
Friend
Friend A member of the Society of Friends; a Quaker.
Friendship
The state of being friends; friendly relation, or attachment, to a person, or between persons; affection arising from mutual esteem and good will; friendliness; amity; good will.
There is little friendship in the world.
There can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity.
Preferred by friendship, and not chosen by sufficiency.
Friend
(Informal) To add (someone) as a friend on a social networking website.
Friendship
Kindly aid; help; assistance,
Some friendship will it [a hovel] lend you gainst the tempest.
Friend
(Archaic) To befriend.
Friendship
Aptness to unite; conformity; affinity; harmony; correspondence.
Those colors . . . have a friendship with each other.
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.
Friendship
The state of being friends
Friend
An associate who provides assistance.
The Automobile Association is every motorist's friend.
The police is every law-abiding citizen's friend.
Friendship
The state of being friends.
Their Friendship began in elementary school and continued into adulthood.
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
Friendship
A relationship that isn't based on family ties or romantic love.
Their Friendship was pure and devoid of any romantic inclinations.
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)
Common Curiosities
Can you have more than one best friend?
Yes, you can have multiple Friends whom you consider "best" based on different criteria or bonds.
Is it necessary for friends to have common interests?
No, while common interests can strengthen Friendship, it's mutual respect and understanding that form its foundation.
What constitutes a friendship?
Friendship is a bond of mutual affection, trust, and understanding between individuals.
Can a family member be a friend?
Yes, a family member can also be considered a Friend if they share a bond of mutual affection and trust beyond familial ties.
How can one nurture friendship?
Friendship can be nurtured through communication, spending quality time, understanding, and mutual support.
Can you be friends with someone much older or younger?
Age is not a barrier to Friendship; people of different ages can be Friends based on mutual respect and shared interests.
How has social media impacted friendship?
Social media has expanded the scope of Friendship, allowing people to connect globally, but it also challenges the depth of these connections.
Can you revive a lost friendship?
It's possible to rekindle a Friendship by reaching out, communicating, and addressing past issues.
How is friendship different from acquaintanceship?
Friendship is a deeper bond based on trust and affection, while an acquaintanceship is a more superficial knowledge of someone.
Can animals form friendships?
Yes, animals can form bonds that resemble Friendship, showing affection and loyalty to each other or humans.
Is it okay to have few friends?
The quality of Friendship is more important than quantity; having a few close Friends can be fulfilling.
How do friendships impact mental health?
Strong Friendships provide support, reduce stress, and increase happiness, thereby positively impacting mental health.
What's a "frenemy"?
A "frenemy" is someone who pretends to be a Friend but actually harbors resentment or hostility.
What's the difference between a friend and a colleague?
A colleague is someone you interact with professionally, while a Friend is someone with whom you share a personal bond outside of work.
Can friendships change over time?
Yes, like all relationships, Friendship can evolve based on life events, circumstances, and personal growth.
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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.
