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

Set against the backdrop of an isolated corner of the Himalayas, the film is billed as a story of an unlikely yet powerful friendship between two Indigenous women. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026

The two men forged a close friendship that extended to the wider Kennedy clan. —Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026

The pair recently highlighted their unique friendship in a joint Instagram Reel shared on March 30. —Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026

The Hole was a place where a mother was blind, deaf, and utterly disconnected to her previous life, the concepts of career and friendship and exercise and positive reinforcement just hazy memories of a distant realm. —Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 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