befriend

[bih-frend]

verb (used with object)

1. to make friends or become friendly with; act as a friend to; help; aid.

   to befriend the lonely and the disregarded.

   Synonyms: welcome, succor, sustain, encourage, assist, associate, ally

befriend

/ bɪˈfrɛnd /

verb

1. (tr) to be a friend to; assist; favour

Other Word Forms

• unbefriended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of befriend¹

First recorded in 1550–60; be- + friend

Example Sentences

The Broads first met and befriended Therrien as a nervous young artist who brought a poodle for emotional support during their first meeting in the 1970s.

From Los Angeles Times

Those we encounter and befriend shape us as much as our family does, an idea perfectly suited to linked stories like award-winning author Silber’s “Mercy.”

From Los Angeles Times

There, he befriended John Lennon and Yoko Ono, while coordinating interviews with college radio stations for Ono’s latest album, “Approximately Infinite Universe.”

From Los Angeles Times

Eugene Ottinger is one of Nevermore Academy's quirkier students and president of the school's beekeeping club, which is where he first befriends Wednesday.

From BBC

Lammy studied at Harvard, where he met and befriended Barack Obama.

From BBC

Related Words

• advise 
• aid 
• patronize