friendship
Americannoun
-
friendships
plural
-
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
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
See Examples For:
But Ricky Bobby’s return to glory was about more than the importance of humility and friendship.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
Parents who have watched their children cycle through different hobbies, whether it’s crafting friendship bracelets or concocting homemade slime, will recognize the single-minded fervor that has overtaken the students of Class 203.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
This was the world I believed I had committed to in getting bangs: female friendship, indie theaters, Terry Zwigoff, an appreciation for vintage Steve Buscemi.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
Her film rejects the idea that one has to give up the close intimacies of friendship once you transition into a coupled-up phase of life.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
Clearly, she could tell that I was done talking about my friendship woes.
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
Join us on a time-travel adventure to the ’90s: If you’ve recently been paralyzed by choice or felt overconnected but underinvested in your friendships, Slate has an antidote for you.
From Slate ● Aug. 10, 2026
Reilly came up with a slogan that played on Pelosi’s Washington connections and many important friendships: “A voice that will be heard.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026
School holidays should be a time for children to have fun and build friendships, while families have the opportunity to work or recharge.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
A spokesman for the Lutheran Church said: “Sunday creates space for family, friendships, neighbors and volunteering.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
While I regretted the friendships I was losing, I cherished the growing ties to the eight.
From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals
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.
