A person 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.
An associate who provides assistance. The Automobile Association is every motorist's friend. The police is every law-abiding citizen's 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 him.
A person who backs or supports something. I’m not a friend of cheap wine.
verb
To act as a friend to, to befriend; to be friendly to, to help.
To add (a person) to a list of friends on a social networking site; to officially designate (someone) as a friend.