old bud
1
8.1
- noun
- Informal
:
viejo amigo
- Whenever I need advice, I go to my old bud for help.
Examples
-
I've known Jake since childhood; he's my old bud.
-
We're old buds of Father McNulty's.
-
After many years apart, I met up with my old bud at the reunion.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A close friend you spend time with
213
5.3
A person who is a friend, used in casual talk
131
8.6
A close friend often from the same neighborhood or background
78
7.8
A person you like and trust, often a close friend
42
8.0
A friendly way to call a man you know well
27
1.0
A person you have known since you were a child who is still close to you
22
9.5
Close family members or friends you care about
20
8.6
A close friend you know well and trust
19
7.2
A very close friend you trust and talk to often
8
9.1
A friendly name for a close friend
7
9.9
A friendly name people use to talk to a close friend
1
9.9
A close friend like a brother
Antonyms
How Familiar
Surface Forms
Morphology
old + bud
The meaning 'long-time or childhood friend' is directly derivable from combining 'old' (long-standing) with 'bud' (an informal term for a friend). This adjective+noun composition is a straightforward, cross-linguistically common pattern and follows normal English usage, so learners who know both constituents will readily understand the expression (noting its informal register).
Etymology
The expression old bud comes from a short, friendly bud (from 'buddy') plus old to show a long time. Imagine a friend who grew up with you and has been there for years, so old bud means 'a long-time or childhood friend'.