Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - friend

~ n 1 »PERSON YOU LIKE« someone who you like very much and like to spend time with  (Jerry, I'd like to introduce you to my friend Lucinda. | be friends with sb)  (My parents have been friends with the Murkets for twenty years. | friend of mine/yours/Billy's etc)  (A friend of mine told me this joke yesterday. | best friend (=the friend you like best))  (One of Tricia's best friends is getting married tomorrow. | good/close friend (=one of the friends you like most))  (One of my good friends just had a baby. | old friend (=one you have known a long time))  (Bruce is an old friend of mine. | friend of a friend)  (I met Stephano through a friend of a friend.) 2 make friends to meet people and become friendly with them  (Jenny has always found it easy to make friends at school.)  (Have you made friends with your neighbors yet?) 3 be just (good) friends used to say that you are not having a romantic relationship with someone  (Ben's not her boyfriend, I think they're just good friends.) 4 »SUPPORTER« someone who supports a theatre, arts organization, charity (2) etc by giving money or help  (We would like to invite you to become a friend of the orchestra.) 5 »NOT AN ENEMY« someone who is not an enemy and will not harm you or cause trouble for you  (Who goes there? Friend or foe? | Don't worry, you're among friends.) 6 be no friend of/to to oppose someone or something  (I'm no friend of socialism, as you know.) 7 »AT PUBLIC OCCASION« used to address someone or a group of people in a parliament, meeting, or other formal public occasion  (Friends, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Nick and Jo.) 8 Friend a member of the Society of Friends; a Quaker 9 our/your friend used to talk about someone you do not know, who has done something annoying  (Our friend with the loud voice is back.) 10 have friends in high places to know important people who can help you 11 a friend in need someone who helps you when you need it