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friend with benefits
noun phrase
: a friend with whom one has casual sexual relations without commitments
Examples of friend with benefits in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sneaky link to me is much deeper than just a hook up or friends with benefits, because there wouldn’t be any substance.
—Peter White, Deadline, 17 July 2024
Much of the pair’s relationship — from friends to best friends to friends with benefits to friends again to boyfriend/girlfriend to then engaged — has played out on the Bravo show, which shows the shenanigans and drama of young, professional East Coasters sharing a house for the summer.
—Melissah Yang, refinery29.com, 22 Feb. 2024
The Australian singer Dannii Minogue — younger sister of gay diva Kylie — plays host at a swank mansion where 10 single young men meet, mingle and make out in hopes of finding a partner, or at least a lover (or if that doesn’t last, maybe a hot friend with benefits?).
—Erik Piepenburg, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2024
However, the idea of friends with benefits can get a bad rap sometimes, as there’s an assumption that this relationship dynamic is only for people who aren’t serious about commitment and are emotionally unavailable.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 9 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'friend with benefits.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1997, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of friend with benefits was
in 1997
Dictionary Entries Near friend with benefits
Cite this Entry
“Friend with benefits.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/friend%20with%20benefits. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.
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