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

Just a few days later, Navratilova spoke by phone about the film, the friendship and their cancer battles. — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

His father was my father’s close friend, and their friendship had remained a source of solace for us across the geographies that their work had scattered us across. — Mahsa Alimardani, Time, 6 July 2026

But Sandler has previously hinted at his friendship with Kelce, who made a cameo in Happy Gilmore 2. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2026

Pulling from interviews, podcasts and social media, the book digs into the show’s infamous scandals, like Scandoval, friendship breakdowns and fandom. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 6 July 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