buddy

Buddy is most commonly used as an informal word for a friend.

Buddy is often used as a form of address (as in Hey, buddy, I haven’t seen you in a while!) or a term of endearment (an affectionate way of referring to someone). It is sometimes shortened to bud. Buddy is primarily used in the United States.

Example: We don’t get together as much as we used to, but whenever I hang out with my buddies from college it’s still like old times.

Buddy first entered widespread use around the 1800s. Its origin is uncertain, but it may derive from the word brother, which was once one of its meanings. It is thought that it may have come from the way that a small child might pronounce (or mispronounce) brother (much like how young children sometimes say sissy instead of sister). Other theories include that it is based on the British term butty, which also means “friend or workmate.”

A buddy is most often a friend, as in I’d like you to meet my buddy Greg or My buddies and I are going to the moves—do you want to come? It’s also a term of address (Thanks, buddy!) or endearment, such as from a parent to a child. In these examples, it’s most often applied to men and boys (perhaps influenced by its possible origin in brother), but this is not always the case.

Buddy is sometimes paired with another word to specify what kind of activity two people do together, as in hiking buddy or bowling buddy. This usually implies that this is the primary or only situation in which the two friends hang out. (Of course, it’s very possible for your bowling buddies to become your best buddies.)

A buddy can also be a work companion or someone who you’re paired with, such as for a school project or in the context of the buddy system, which is the pairing of people together for safety. Relatedly, buddy is sometimes used as a verb in the phrase buddy up, often meaning “to pair up.” And to buddy up to someone is to become more friendly with them.

When used as a term of address, buddy doesn’t always refer to a pal. It’s sometimes used to address a stranger in a condescending way, as in Watch where you’re going, buddy!

Buddy is sometimes used in a more specific way to refer to a person who helps a coworker who has returned to the workplace with a disability, or someone who supports and helps to care for a person with AIDS.

������ are some other forms of buddy?

• buddies (plural)
• bud (shortened form)

������ are some synonyms for buddy?

• friend
• pal
• ����ܳ���
• comrade
• mate
• companion

������ are some words that share a root or word element with buddy?��

• bud
• buddy system
• bosom buddy

������ are some words that often get used in discussing buddy?

• friendship
• relationship
• familiar
• best
• old

Buddy can be used in many ways, but most of them refer to a friend, companion, or partner.

Your spouse should be the one who tells you to be safe and enjoy when you go out with your buddies.
Not the one who complains and gets mad at you.

Marriage is partnership not ownership.

— €xpressions (@SassyShweta_)

My cat and his new roommate. Maybe not best buddies yet, but they’re trying their hardest. ❤️

— Ben McLean (@HeyBenMcLean)

I need someone to be my workout/hiking buddy ):

— kim janine 💛 (@thiccmexicana)

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Which of the following words is the closest synonym for buddy?

A. coworker
B. acquaintance
C. pal
D. associate