To deliberately begin treating someone as a friend, often by offering welcome or companionship.
Reach for it when describing the first active steps toward an inclusive friendship
Noor chose to befriend the exchange student during the first lunch break.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| literary |
playful
make friends with
Fits when plain informal wording best fits
Not when the sentence needs compact formality
everyday
connect with
Fits when initial rapport is still forming
Not when loyal companionship already exists
everyday
Fits when bringing someone into an activity matters
Not when private companionship is developing
warm
Fits when helping someone feel accepted comes first
Not when an ongoing personal bond is promised
professional
Fits when practical help is the main action
Not when mutual friendship is the point
literary
take under one's wing
Fits when protective mentoring shapes the relationship
Not when the friendship is between equals
befriend a newcomer
Lena made time to befriend a newcomer after rehearsal.
quick to befriend
The old dog was quick to befriend every patient visitor.
choose to befriend
Several pupils choose to befriend classmates outside their usual group.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Naomi Persephone Amethyst, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated
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