befriend

[bih-frend]

verb (used with object)

1. to make friends or become friendly with; act as a friend to; help; aid.

   to befriend the lonely and the disregarded.

   Synonyms: welcome, succor, sustain, encourage, assist, associate, ally

befriend

/ bɪˈfrɛnd /

verb

1. (tr) to be a friend to; assist; favour

Other Word Forms

• unbefriended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of befriend¹

First recorded in 1550–60; be- + friend

Example Sentences

Why, in the past twenty-four hours alone, she had traversed a forest on foot in uncomfortable boots, spent the night in a cave, and befriended a terrifying wolf.

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Penelope suppressed a smile, for she had not yet given up hopes of befriending Lady Constance.

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The sinister figure lurking in the drama is Bernard Faÿ, a French writer and enthusiast of things American, whom Stein and Toklas had befriended in Paris.

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Elizabeth is also the conscience of the piece, befriending the Creature and being alternately attracted to Victor and repulsed by what she sees as his moral degeneracy—never mind his abdication of parental responsibility.

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They loved hearing how she befriended the island animals.

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Related Words

• advise 
• aid 
• patronize