friendship

noun

friend·​ship ˈfren(d)-ˌship 

1

: the state of being friends

They have a long-standing friendship.

2

: the quality or state of being friendly : friendliness

the friendship shown him by his coworkers

3

obsolete : aid

Synonyms of friendship

• generosity
• brotherhood
• amity
• cordiality
• goodwill
• friendliness
• neighborliness
• kindness
• good-fellowship
• benevolence
• fellowship
• kindliness
• community
• companionship

Examples of friendship in a Sentence

a friendship between two countries

They have enjoyed many years of friendship.

He was encouraged by the friendship his coworkers showed him.

Recent Examples on the Web

Billie Joe Armstrong followed Dangerfield on Instagram, and the two struck up a friendship that led to the Paradox opening for Green Day on the Atlanta stop of its Saviors Tour. — Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Their decades-long friendship predates fame and has endured through years of creative collaboration in music, business ventures and personal milestones. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Mustapha initially believed the film would be driven by its ideas about masculinity, only to discover in the edit that their friendship had become its emotional throughline. — Essie Assibu, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026

Throughout the filmmaking process, so many people shared their own moving and hilarious stories about their relationships, friendships, and families. — Adam Sztykiel, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see friend entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing friendship

• betray someone's friendship

Kids Definition

friendship

noun

friend·​ship ˈfren(d)-ˌship 

: the state of being friends