buddy

1 of 3

noun

bud·​dy ˈbə-dē 

plural buddies

1

a

: companion, partner

b

: friend sense 1

2

: fellow

—used especially in informal address

buddy

2 of 3

verb

buddied; buddying

intransitive verb

: to become friendly

—usually used with up or with

buddy

3 of 3

adjective

: featuring a friendship or partnership between the two main usually male characters

a buddy movie

Synonyms

Noun

• alter ego
• amigo
• chum
• compadre
• comrade
• confidant
• confidante
• crony
• familiar
• friend
• intimate
• mate [chiefly British]
• musketeer
• pal

Examples of buddy in a Sentence

Noun

His fishing buddy just bought a new boat.

my old college buddy is the one person I can always turn to

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In Ridley Scott’s 1991 buddy film, Arkansas friends Thelma (played by Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) go on a road trip to escape their dreary lives. —David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2024

In 1963, Charles Daly, a Marine buddy then on the White House staff, put Mr. McCloskey on a list of lawyers invited to a White House conference on civil rights. —Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 8 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably baby talk alteration of brother

First Known Use

Noun

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1918, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1976, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing buddy

• buddy-buddy
• buddy system
• buddy up
• the buddy system

Kids Definition

buddy

noun

bud·​dy

ˈbəd-ē

plural buddies

: companion entry 1 sense 1, pal