befriend

verb

be·​friend bi-ˈfrend 

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

Holmes invited documentarians to capture the Theranos founder’s last few days of freedom before going to prison (and eventually befriending Jen Shah/shunning Ghislaine Maxwell). — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026

In August 2021, Brown allegedly befriended a woman and her family and then disappeared with their 4-day-old baby in Fairfield, Alabama, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. — Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026

An author befriends a movie star and attempts to write a version of her story. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

In general, experts caution against trying to befriend a wild animal. — Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for befriend

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend
• descend

Kids Definition

befriend

verb

be·​friend bi-ˈfrend 

: to become or act as a friend to