noun
Very common
Friends
frehndz
Friends (noun) means the Religious Society of Friends, a Christian movement better known as the Quakers, founded on the idea that anyone can experience God directly without clergy or ritual. Example: “Her grandparents were Friends and worshipped in near-silence every Sunday.”
noun
1
The Religious Society of Friends, a Christian movement better known as the Quakers, founded on the idea that anyone can experience God directly without clergy or ritual.
"Her grandparents were Friends and worshipped in near-silence every Sunday."
"The Friends meeting house had no altar, pulpit, or stained glass."
How to use Friends
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCapitalized like this, "Friends" is a name for the Quakers, not the ordinary word for people you're close to.
Common mistake
Only capitalize it this way when you mean the religious group — for the everyday word, use lowercase "friends."
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Her grandparents were _____ and worshipped in near-silence every Sunday.
Synonyms
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Quakers
Religious Society of Friends
Society of Friends
Friends Church
Frequently asked questions
What does “Friends” mean?
The word “Friends” means the Religious Society of Friends, a Christian movement better known as the Quakers, founded on the idea that anyone can experience God directly without clergy or ritual. In plain terms, capitalized like this, "Friends" is a name for the Quakers, not the ordinary word for people you're close to.
How do you pronounce “Friends”?
“Friends” is pronounced frehndz (/fɹɛndz/ in IPA).
How do you use “Friends” in a sentence?
Here is “Friends” used in a sentence: “Her grandparents were Friends and worshipped in near-silence every Sunday.”
What part of speech is “Friends”?
“Friends” is a noun.
Is “Friends” a common word?
“Friends” is a very common word in modern English.
What is the difference between Friends and Quakers?
There is no difference in who they are; the two names point to the same movement. "Friends," short for the Religious Society of Friends, is the members' own formal name. "Quakers" began as an outsiders' nickname but is now widely and comfortably used by members and non-members alike.
Why are they called Friends?
The name comes from the group's full title, the Religious Society of Friends, chosen to express fellowship and equality among members. It echoes a verse in which Jesus calls his followers friends. The term reflects their belief that all people stand in a direct, personal relationship with God and one another.
What do Quakers believe?
Central to Friends is the conviction that anyone can experience God directly, without the need for clergy, ritual, or elaborate ceremony. Many meetings worship in shared silence until someone feels moved to speak. Friends are also widely known for their commitment to peace, equality, honesty, and simple living.
Are Quakers Christian?
Historically yes; the Religious Society of Friends grew out of seventeenth-century Christianity in England and takes its roots from the teachings of Jesus. Today the movement is diverse: some meetings remain firmly Christian, while others are more liberal and welcome members of varied beliefs, united by shared practice and values.
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