noun
buddy
BUH-dee
noun
1
A friend or casual companion.
"He and his college buddies still meet up every summer."
"She made a new buddy on her first day at the gym."
2
A partner assigned to work with or look out for someone on a particular task, such as in the "buddy system."
"Each new hire is paired with a buddy for their first month."
verb
1
To pair someone up with a partner or companion.
"The instructor buddied up the swimmers before letting them into the deep end."
How to Use Buddy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual, friendly word for a close friend, or a partner assigned for safety or teamwork.
When to use it
Informal; common in everyday speech, especially in American English.
Common pairings
buddy system
best buddy
buddy up
Word Forms
more buddy comparative, buddied past tense, buddies plural, buddies singular, most buddy superlative
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Etymology
First recorded in the late 1700s; likely a child's alteration of "brother," though it may also trace back to British dialect "butty," meaning workmate or companion, especially among coal miners.