befriend

verb be·friend \ bi-ˈfrend \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Examples: befriend in a Sentence

Definition of befriend

befriended; befriending; befriends

transitive verb

: to become or act as a friend to

befriended the new student

See befriend defined for English-language learners

See befriend defined for kids

Examples of befriend in a Sentence

He befriended the new student.

Recent Examples of befriend from the Web

That was the year Ripken befriended a young outfielder named Brady Anderson, who would play alongside him for the 14 seasons and remains a close friend.

— peter schmuck, baltimoresun.com, "Schmuck: Cal Ripken Jr. knows what it's like to be on worst team in baseball and feels Orioles' pain," 6 June 2018
Even more than her fiction or the chance to befriend a famous author, Rand’s philosophy bound the Collective to her.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "The Literary Salon That Made Ayn Rand Famous," 8 May 2018
For the most part, hunters try to befriend bankers and not disrupt operations.

— daisy maxey, WSJ, "Coin-Roll Hunting: The Secrets of a Treasure-Seeking Hobby," 6 May 2018
Most residents love to fish and those who don't make sure to befriend someone who does.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Searching for Anchorage’s finest bites? Think seafood," 2 May 2018
Walbridge also has befriended Whitley, who offers advice about dealing with recruiters, scouts and eventually agents.

— adam zuvanich, San Antonio Express-News, "Rising son: Walbridge realizing dream shared by late father," 29 Apr. 2018
To be able to befriend him over the years, and now work with him, is a joy for me and really good for our organization.

— rick bonnell, charlotteobserver, "Source: Hornets to interview Spurs assistant for head coach as early as next week | Charlotte Observer," 20 Apr. 2018
Michael Channels, who befriended Manson by mail and sold his songs and artwork, is also fighting for the estate.

— brian melley, USA TODAY, "Purported son of Charles Manson drops out of estate fight," 8 May 2018
Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt performs a stage adaptation of his coming-of-age tale about a young Jewish orphan who befriends an elderly Muslim grocer in 1960s Paris; in French with English subtitles.

— matt cooper, latimes.com, "The week ahead in L.A. theater, May 6-13: 'Hamilton,' 'Antigone' and more," 6 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'befriend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of befriend

1559

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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BEFRIEND Defined for English Language Learners

befriend

verb

Definition of befriend for English Language Learners

: to become a friend to (someone)

BEFRIEND Defined for Kids

befriend

verb be·friend \ bi-ˈfrend \

Definition of befriend for Students

befriended; befriending

: to act as a friend to We befriended the new student.

Learn More about befriend

See words that rhyme with befriend Spanish Central: Translation of befriend Nglish: Translation of befriend for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of befriend for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

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befriend

Definition of befriend

Examples of befriend in a Sentence

Recent Examples of befriend from the Web

First Known Use of befriend

BEFRIEND Defined for English Language Learners

befriend

Definition of befriend for English Language Learners

BEFRIEND Defined for Kids

befriend

Definition of befriend for Students

Learn More about befriend

Seen and Heard

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Definition of befriend for English Language Learners

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