buddy
/ˈbʌdi
/informal, chiefly North American
noun (plural buddies)
1A close friend: they had become the best of buddies...
- Sure I have friends, but not real friends, not the kind of close buddies that you share everything with.
- As an aside, before Christmas I ran into a buddy from high school.
- Sean is broke, so his best buddy and roommate Dee Loc suggests he gets a job at the local car wash.
1.1A working companion with whom close cooperation is required.But Shaft spends the entire movie partnered with his cop buddies, all of whom are made to make a point of saying how much trouble they'll be in for helping Shaft....
- One day, in a fit of tomfoolery, she and one of her coworker buddies dress up in a guest's expensive clothing.
- My coworker buddy and I might be taking a knitting course together.
1.2A person who befriends and helps another with an incapacitating disease, typically AIDS: gay male counsellors, buddies, and helpline volunteers are available upon request...
- To combat this, the charity runs a buddy scheme, whereby volunteers befriend patients, offering support and companionship.
- A buddy volunteer may also provide resource and referral information and emotional support for a person with HIV/AIDS over the telephone.
- AIDS Buddies is a program aimed to bring a little comfort, a sense of social life, and community activity to the residents at the Don Miller House.
1.3Used as a form of address to a man whose name is not known: I’m working on it, buddy...
- I say ditch her and jump the next plane back here to Paris, buddy.
- I've got some harsh words for you, buddy, so have a seat.
- Where did you get your journalism degree, buddy?
verb (buddies, buddying, buddied) [no object]
Become friendly and spend time with someone: I decided to buddy up to them...
- I'll admit that Tom opened the door for me, but I had to buddy up with them and get to know them just like everybody else before they let me into their little circle.
- White rhinos apparently get a different benefit from buddying up.
- One night in the summer of 1971, he buddied up to Wylie in the infield to inquire about the car.
Origin
Mid 19th century (originally US): perhaps an alteration of brother, or a variant of butty2.