buddy
BUH-dee
Buddy (noun) means a friend or casual companion. Example: “He and his college buddies still meet up every summer.”
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."
"My old school buddy is coming round for dinner tonight."
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."
"On the school trip, every child must stay with their buddy at all times."
"My diving buddy checked my equipment before we went under the water."
verb
1
To pair someone up with a partner or companion.
"The instructor buddied up the swimmers before letting them into the deep end."
"The teacher buddied the older pupils with the new arrivals on the first day."
"We were buddied up for the hike so nobody walked alone."
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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like buddy.
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
- Plural
- buddies
- Third person singular
- buddies
- Past tense
- buddied
- Comparative
- more buddy
- Superlative
- most buddy
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She made a new _____ on her first day at the gym.
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.
Class of 1700
buddy joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
Related words
Rhymes for buddy
See all rhymes for buddy →Frequently asked questions
What does “buddy” mean?
The word “buddy” means a friend or casual companion. In plain terms, a casual, friendly word for a close friend, or a partner assigned for safety or teamwork.
How do you pronounce “buddy”?
“Buddy” is pronounced BUH-dee (/ˈbʌdi/ in IPA).
How do you use “buddy” in a sentence?
Here is “buddy” used in a sentence: “She made a new buddy on her first day at the gym.”
What part of speech is “buddy”?
Depending on how it is used, “buddy” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “buddy” come from?
The word “buddy” dates back to around 1700. 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.
Is “buddy” a common word?
“Buddy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “buddy” have?
“Buddy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a friend or casual companion.
What is the difference between a buddy and a friend?
A friend is the general word for someone you know and like, often implying a real bond. 'Buddy' is more casual and relaxed, suggesting an easy, friendly companion rather than a deep relationship. All buddies are friends of a sort, but 'buddy' keeps the tone light and informal.
Is 'buddy' formal or informal?
'Buddy' is informal and warm. It suits friendly conversation and is often used to address someone, as in 'Thanks, buddy'. In formal or professional writing, 'colleague', 'companion', or 'friend' fits better. Note that said sharply to a stranger, 'buddy' can sometimes sound impatient rather than friendly.
What is an example of using 'buddy'?
You might say, 'He's my old buddy from school,' or 'They became gym buddies.' It often pairs with an activity, like a 'travel buddy' or 'study buddy', meaning someone you share that activity with. As a greeting, 'Hey, buddy' is a casual, friendly way to address someone.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include buddy:
