Friendship vs. Friend: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Friendship is a mutual bond between people marked by affection, trust, and support, while a friend is an individual who shares this bond.
Key Differences
Friendship is an interpersonal relationship characterized by mutual care, respect, and loyalty. In contrast, a friend is a person who participates in this relationship. Friendship is an abstract concept, while a friend is a concrete participant.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Friendship involves shared experiences, emotional bonds, and mutual support. On the other hand, a friend is someone who contributes to these experiences. Friendship is the collective experience, while a friend is an individual within this dynamic.
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Dec 05, 2023
The strength of friendship depends on the depth of connection and understanding between individuals. Conversely, a friend is an individual who actively engages in nurturing this understanding. Friendship is the overall quality of the relationship, whereas a friend is a member of this relationship.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Friendship can exist in various forms and intensities, from casual to deep bonds. A friend represents a single node within this spectrum. Friendship is a broad term encompassing many relationships, while a friend is a specific person within one of these relationships.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Friendship is often evaluated by the trust, empathy, and companionship it offers. In contrast, a friend is evaluated by their individual contribution to these elements. Friendship is a measure of relational quality, whereas a friend is a contributor to this quality.
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Dec 05, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Evaluation
Based on mutual trust and support
Based on individual contributions
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Dec 05, 2023
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Friendship and Friend Definitions
Friendship
A close and affectionate relationship between people.
Their friendship grew stronger after they traveled together.
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Nov 24, 2023
Friendship
A connection marked by trust and companionship.
Years of shared experiences cemented their friendship.
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Nov 24, 2023
Friendship
A bond of mutual support and understanding.
Their friendship was evident in how they helped each other in tough times.
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Nov 24, 2023
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Friendship
A relationship of mutual affection between people.
Their friendship was admired by everyone who knew them.
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Nov 24, 2023
Friend
One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement
Friends of the clean air movement.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friendship
The state of being friends.
Their friendship began in childhood and lasted a lifetime.
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Nov 24, 2023
Friend
(Informal) To add (someone) as a friend on a social networking website.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friendship
Friendliness; good will
A policy of friendship toward other nations.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
A person, typically someone other than a family member, spouse or lover, whose company one enjoys and towards whom one feels affection.
John and I have been friends ever since we were roommates at college.
Trust is important between friends.
I used to find it hard to make friends when I was shy.
We became friends in the war and remain friends to this day.
We were friends with some girls from the other school and stayed friends with them.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
An associate who provides assistance.
The Automobile Association is every motorist's friend.
The police is every law-abiding citizen's friend.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friendship
(countable) A friendly relationship, or a relationship as friends.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
A person with whom one is vaguely or indirectly acquainted.
A friend of a friend;
I added him as a friend on Facebook, but I hardly know
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
A person who backs or supports something.
I’m not a friend of cheap wine.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friendship
The state of being friends; friendly relation, or attachment, to a person, or between persons; affection arising from mutual esteem and good will; friendliness; amity; good will.
There is little friendship in the world.
There can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity.
Preferred by friendship, and not chosen by sufficiency.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
(informal) An object or idea that can be used for good.
Fruit is your friend.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friendship
Kindly aid; help; assistance,
Some friendship will it [a hovel] lend you gainst the tempest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
Used as a form of address when warning someone.
You’d better watch it, friend.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friendship
Aptness to unite; conformity; affinity; harmony; correspondence.
Those colors . . . have a friendship with each other.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
(object-oriented programming) A function or class granted special access to the private and protected members of another class.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
A relative, a relation by blood or marriage.
Friends agree best at a distance.
Make friends of framet folk.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
(transitive) To add (a person) to a list of friends on a social networking site; to officially designate (someone) as a friend.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
One who entertains for another such sentiments of esteem, respect, and affection that he seeks his society and welfare; a wellwisher; an intimate associate; sometimes, an attendant.
Want gives to know the flatterer from the friend.
A friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
One not inimical or hostile; one not a foe or enemy; also, one of the same nation, party, kin, etc., whose friendly feelings may be assumed. The word is some times used as a term of friendly address.
Friend, how camest thou in hither?
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
One who looks propitiously on a cause, an institution, a project, and the like; a favorer; a promoter; as, a friend to commerce, to poetry, to an institution.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
One of a religious sect characterized by disuse of outward rites and an ordained ministry, by simplicity of dress and speech, and esp. by opposition to war and a desire to live at peace with all men. They are popularly called Quakers.
America was first visited by Friends in 1656.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
To act as the friend of; to favor; to countenance; to befriend.
Fortune friends the bold.
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
A person you know well and regard with affection and trust;
He was my best friend at the university
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
An associate who provides assistance;
He's a good ally in fight
They were friends of the workers
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
A person with whom you are acquainted;
I have trouble remembering the names of all my acquaintances
We are friends of the family
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
A person who backs a politician or a team etc.;
All their supporters came out for the game
They are friends of the library
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
A member of the Religious Society of Friends founded by George Fox (the Friends have never called themselves Quakers)
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Oct 19, 2023
Friend
A person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection.
Jack is my friend; we've known each other since grade school.
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Nov 24, 2023
Friend
Someone who is not hostile and is on good terms with another.
She made a new friend at the workshop.
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Nov 24, 2023
Friend
A person who supports a cause, organization, or country by giving help.
He's a friend to many charitable organizations.
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Nov 24, 2023
Friend
A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause.
In this endeavor, he was my closest friend.
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Nov 24, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a friend exist outside the context of a friendship?
Yes, a person can be a friend even if the deeper aspects of friendship are not present.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is friendship always mutual?
Friendship ideally is mutual, but the depth of feelings can vary between friends.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can animals be friends?
In a broader sense, animals can form bonds that resemble friendship.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is it possible to have friendship without regular communication?
Yes, some friendships endure even with infrequent communication.
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Dec 05, 2023
Are online friends real friends?
Yes, online friends can form real and meaningful friendships.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can friendship exist without friends?
No, friends are essential participants in a friendship.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can friendship turn into love?
Yes, friendship can sometimes evolve into romantic love.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is it possible to have a friendship with a significant age difference?
Yes, friendships can cross age barriers.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can someone be a friend but not part of a significant friendship?
Yes, some friends are part of casual or less significant relationships.
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Dec 05, 2023
Does friendship change over time?
Yes, friendships can evolve, strengthen, or weaken over time.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can a family member be a friend?
Absolutely, family members can also form friendships.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can a friendship survive a major disagreement?
It can, depending on the resilience and understanding of the friends involved.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is it normal for friendships to end?
Yes, it's a natural part of life for some friendships to end.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is it important to have friends from diverse backgrounds?
Diversity in friendships can enrich one's perspective and experiences.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can competitive feelings harm a friendship?
Yes, unchecked competition can strain or damage a friendship.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is trust essential in a friendship?
Yes, trust is a foundational element of friendship.
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Dec 05, 2023
How many friends are necessary for a fulfilling life?
This varies greatly; quality often matters more than quantity.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Are there cultural differences in how friendships are expressed?
Yes, cultural norms can influence how friendships are formed and maintained.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can friendships impact mental health?
Yes, positive friendships can greatly benefit mental health.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is it possible to rekindle an old friendship?
Yes, with mutual effort, old friendships can often be renewed.
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Dec 05, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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