Make Friends Meaning, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：start a friendship (make friends)

make friends 🔊

/meɪk frendz/

v. phr.

To start a friendly relationship with someone.

Two people making friends over coffee in a sunny cafe

start a friendship 🔊

➕

/stɑːrt ə ˈfrendʃɪp/

v. phr.

To initiate a friendly relationship with someone; to become someone's friend.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Make (OE macian) + friends (OE freond 'lover').

💡 Mnemonic

Extend your hand and say 'Let's make friends' – a simple gesture that creates a bond.

📖 Example

On my first day at the new school, I was nervous, but I soon made friends with a girl who loves painting too. 🔊 On the first day at a new school, the speaker felt nervous but quickly became friends with a girl who shares a passion for painting.

🔗 Collocations

make friends with someone – to become friends with a specific person

make new friends – to form new friendships

make friends easily – to have no difficulty forming friendships

🔄 Synonyms

befriend (v.) – to become friends with someone, especially when they are lonely or new

get along with (phrasal v.) – to have a friendly relationship with someone; to be compatible

bond with (phrasal v.) – to develop a close connection with someone

🚫 Antonyms

make enemies (v. phr.) – to cause someone to become an opponent or antagonist

fall out with (phrasal v.) – to stop being friends due to a disagreement

🌱 Derivatives

friendship (n.) – the state of being friends

friend-making (adj.) – that facilitates making friends

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'friend' comes from Proto-Germanic *frijōndz meaning 'lover,' related to 'to love.' The phrase 'make friends' has been used since Middle English to describe forming affectionate bonds.