buddy

1 of 3

noun

bud·​dy ˈbə-dē How to pronounce buddy (audio)
plural buddies
Synonyms of buddynext
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

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Back then, Dyer was 20 years old, a former high school football star and a buddy of Steven Schwartz. — Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025 The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter — and noted cinephile — made the announcement while appearing on Jennifer Hudson's eponymous talk show to chat about her upcoming tour with her fellow Super Bowl halftime performer Kendrick Lamar and her new buddy comedy, One of Them Days. — Jessica Wang, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
Some young fish like to buddy up with stinging jellies to stay safe from predators. — Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 6 July 2016 Only Jack Harlow and Dua Lipa buddy up at Variety's Hitmakers Brunch, presented by IHG Hotels and Resorts, at Studio 13 at City Market Social House on Dec. 3 in Los Angeles. — People Staff, Peoplemag, 9 Dec. 2022
Adjective
Swift shared a smile with buddy Blake Shelton backstage at the 2007 CMT Awards. — Diane J. Cho, Peoplemag, 13 Dec. 2022 No current quarterback can match the power runs of Allen, the Padres fan whose buddy Trevor Hoffman married a Bills cheerleader. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for buddy

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of buddy was in 1896

Phrases Containing buddy

Rhymes for buddy

See All Rhymes for buddy

Browse Nearby Words

buddler
buddy
buddy-buddy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Buddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buddy. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

buddy

noun
bud·​dy
ˈbəd-ē
plural buddies
: companion entry 1 sense 1, pal

More from Merriam-Webster on buddy

Nglish: Translation of buddy for Spanish Speakers

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