friendship
10 synonyms and 4 antonyms for friendship, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A relationship of mutual affection and trust between people who are not related or romantically involved.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use friendship
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English freondscipe, formed from friend plus the suffix -ship.
Full origin of friendship →Frequently asked questions
What does “friendship” mean?
The word “friendship” means a relationship of mutual affection and trust between people who are not related or romantically involved. In plain terms, the bond and closeness between friends.
How do you pronounce “friendship”?
“Friendship” is pronounced FREHN-shihp (/ˈfɹɛn(d)ʃɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “friendship” in a sentence?
Here is “friendship” used in a sentence: “Their friendship lasted more than thirty years.”
What is another word for “friendship”?
Words with a similar meaning to “friendship” include amity, closeness, fellowship, friendhood and mateship.
What is the opposite of “friendship”?
The opposite of “friendship” — its antonyms — are enemyship, foeship, enmity and unfriendship.
What part of speech is “friendship”?
“Friendship” is a noun.
Where does the word “friendship” come from?
The word “friendship” comes from Old English. From Old English freondscipe, formed from friend plus the suffix -ship.
Is “friendship” a common word?
“Friendship” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between friendship and relationship?
Relationship is the broad word for any connection between people, including family ties and romantic partnerships. Friendship is specifically a relationship of mutual affection and trust between people who are not related and not romantically involved.
What verbs go with friendship?
Common collocations include strike up a friendship, form a friendship, build a friendship, and maintain a friendship. You can also cement, cherish, or renew a friendship, while a friendship that fails is said to break down or end.
What is the difference between friendship and companionship?
Companionship is the comfort of having someone's company, and it can come from anyone regularly present, even a pet. Friendship goes further, involving mutual affection and trust between the two people.
What is the difference between a friendship and an acquaintance?
An acquaintance is someone you know slightly, without any deep bond. A friendship involves mutual affection and trust, so acquaintances may become friends as the connection grows closer.