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

Moon, an adult cat who is estimated to be around six years old, befriended a neighbor who let him inside her home, according to Our Companions Animal Rescue. — Our Companions, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026

The Trasks encounter a wide swath of citizens, haggling with sneaky cheats, exploiting innocent fools, and befriending big-hearted neighbors. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026

Aaliyah was Joe's first major target in Season 1, when the CIA Lioness program sent Marine Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira) undercover to befriend her and infiltrate her family. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

But by incorporating the recurring ghost of Richie, a thirteen-year-old inmate who befriends the children—Ward combines the Southern Gothic with a socio-realist tradition in a voice that is both visceral and intimate. — Literary Hub, 17 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