verb
befriend
bih-FREHND
Befriend (verb) means to become someone's friend, or to act in a friendly, supportive way toward them. Example: “The new student was quickly befriended by her classmates.”
verb
1
To become someone's friend, or to act in a friendly, supportive way toward them.
"The new student was quickly befriended by her classmates."
"A stray cat befriended him during his stay in the village."
How to use befriend
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make friends with someone, or to treat them kindly and supportively.
Common pairings
befriend a stranger
befriend someone online
quickly befriended
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like befriend.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- befriends
- Past tense
- befriended
- Archaic forms
- befriendest, befriendeth, befriendedst
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The new student was quickly _____ by her classmates.
Etymology
Built from be- (an old intensifying prefix) plus friend, so it literally means "to make into a friend."
Related words
Rhymes for befriend
See all rhymes for befriend →Frequently asked questions
What does “befriend” mean?
The word “befriend” means to become someone's friend, or to act in a friendly, supportive way toward them. In plain terms, to make friends with someone, or to treat them kindly and supportively.
How do you pronounce “befriend”?
“Befriend” is pronounced bih-FREHND (/bəˈfɹɛnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “befriend” in a sentence?
Here is “befriend” used in a sentence: “The new student was quickly befriended by her classmates.”
What part of speech is “befriend”?
“Befriend” is a verb.
