friendship
Americannoun
-
the state of being a friend; association as friends.
to value a person's friendship.
-
a friendly relation or intimacy.
- Synonyms:
- rapport, understanding, accord, harmony
-
friendly feeling or disposition.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of friendship
First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English frēondscipe, equivalent to friend + -ship
Explanation
Friendship is the state of being friends with someone. A good job, good health, and romantic love are important, but without real friendship, your life might not feel full. When we talk about friendship, we're often talking about the value of having friends, not just the fact of it. A book might explore the importance of friendship in a young girl's life. You might decide to stop working such long hours and spend more time developing your friendships, in an effort to lead a happier life. A deep friendship can last through many shifts and changes in life, as long as you write or call every now and then.
Vocabulary lists containing friendship
Beowulf vocabulary
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"Encounter"
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Relationships
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The visit is a reminder of the strength of their friendship, even amid "upheaval in international affairs", Kim was reported as saying.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
The show explores middle-age desperation, loneliness and, notably, masculinity and male friendship.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
He was smart enough to give you a compliment, which can often help solidify a friendship.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026
She also suggested prominently displaying the UV index widget on Yahoo Weather, after noting the growing attention to sun exposure across social media and within her teenage daughter’s friendship group.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
It would take us a minute to fall back into our friendship, but then we’d once again be the dynamic duo.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
