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best friend

best friend

940 1.0
A person you trust most and talk to about everything
  • noun
  • /bɛst frɛnd/
translation icon : mejor amigo
  • I have known Tom since childhood, and he has always been my best friend.
  • my very best friend
  • become best friends
  • best friends share

Yeah, my, one of my best friends is Brian Schumacher.

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Examples

Synonyms

buddy
vsbest friend
  • Informal
1.0

A close friend you spend time with

is deeper being the most trusted and closest friend rather than an associate
pal
vsbest friend
  • Informal
1.0

A close friend you spend time with

is closer and more trusted not just a social companion
dearest
vsbest friend
  • Informal
162 2.2

A person you love very much

is more about trust and close friendship than just affection
confidant
vsbest friend
30 5.1

A person you trust with your private thoughts or problems

is the closest friend focused on both trust and intimacy
bestie
vsbest friend
  • Slang
19 7.2

A very close friend you trust and talk to often

is the neutral standard term emphasizing closeness and trust
confidante
vsbest friend
15 6.6

A woman you trust with your secrets

is the closest and most trusted friend regardless of gender
loyal friend
vsbest friend
10 1.0

A person who always supports you and can be trusted

is more than loyalty and is also the closest and most trusted friend
best pal
vsbest friend
  • Informal
9 1.0

A person who is your closest and most trusted friend

is more about being most trusted rather than mainly beloved
true kemosabi
vsbest friend
  • Slang
9.9

A loyal friend or partner who always supports you

is specifically the closest and most trusted friend rather than any partner
all-weather friend
vsbest friend
3.2

A loyal person who helps you in good and bad times

is the closest and most trusted friend not only reliable in all situations

Antonyms

1.0

A person who wants to harm or defeat you

How Close

best friend
940 1.0
friend
1.0
acquaintance
114 3.5

Surface Forms

best friend singular
best friends plural

Morphology

best + friend

The meaning 'a person's closest and most trusted friend' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'best' (the superlative indicating highest degree) with 'friend' (a close companion). This superlative + noun compositional pattern is common cross-linguistically and therefore predictable for an average B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Best friend comes from the simple image of picking the best person among your friends — the one who helps you, listens to you, and whom you trust most. So, best friend means 'a person's closest and most trusted friend'.