befriend

verb

be·​friend bi-ˈfrend How to pronounce befriend (audio)
befriended; befriending; befriends

transitive verb

: to become or act as a friend to
befriended the new student

Examples of befriend in a Sentence

He befriended the new student.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Born March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Jones was raised in Seattle and befriended fellow future legend Ray Charles as a teenager. Spin Staff, SPIN, 4 Nov. 2024 Lynn had befriended several women in a home Bible study group, where her ministry never came up in the discussion. John Blake, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024 Rudolph leaves home and befriends Hermey, an elf who dreams of being a dentist, and Yukon Cornelius, a prospector hunting for gold. Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 1 Nov. 2024 In is a coming-of-age drama about a lonely little boy who befriends a strange tween newcomer to his apartment complex. Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for befriend 

Word History

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of befriend was in 1559

Dictionary Entries Near befriend

Cite this Entry

“Befriend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/befriend. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

befriend

verb
be·​friend bi-ˈfrend How to pronounce befriend (audio)
: to become or act as a friend to
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!