DictionaryAI

buddy

BUD-ee/ˈbʌd.i/

Pluralbuddies

Verbbuddies, buddying, buddied

6 meanings of buddy

Practice

  1. 1
    friendnouncountable
    A friend, or someone you know and get along with.

    Like someone who always saves you a seat at lunch.

    My buddy from work invited me to the game.

    She grew up with three close buddies on her street.

    UsageSay my buddy, or be buddies with someone.

    Similarfriend, mate, pal, chum, bud

    Oppositeenemy

    Note
  2. 2
    activity partnernouncountable
    A person who does an activity with you, such as a sport or a class.

    Like a teammate who watches out for you.

    Find a study buddy to help you prepare for the test.

    Divers should always stay close to their buddies underwater.

    UsageSay a study buddy or a hiking buddy.

    Similarpartner, companion

    Note
  3. 3
    speaking to someonenouncountable
    A way to talk to someone you do not know, usually a man. It is often friendly but can sound angry.

    Hey buddy, is this seat taken?

    Back off, buddy! That's my parking spot.

    UsageCommon forms are Hey, buddy and, when angry, Back off, buddy!

    Similarmate, fellow

  4. 4
    pair upverbtransitive
    To pair someone with a partner for a task or activity.

    The coach buddies every newcomer with a veteran player.

    They buddy beginners with experienced climbers for safety.

    UsageSay buddy someone with a partner.

    Similarpair, partner, match, team

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    someone over therepronounCanada
    A person who is far away from or not part of the talk going on.

    Buddy over there can't hear a word we're saying.

    I don't know who buddy in the red truck is, but he's been parked there all day.

    UsageSay buddy over there, with no a or the.

    Note
  2. 6
    adjective
    Looking like a bud on a plant.
    Some of the dwarfer varieties are full of buddy growths in the early stages and these must be cut down and thrown away.
    1963, John Herbert Goddard, Chrysanthemum Growers' TreasuryHere, buddy means looking like buds, small new shoots on a plant.

Practice

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Origin

This word first appeared around 1788, but no one is sure where it came from. It may be a child's way of saying 'brother', or it may come from an old word 'butty' meaning a workmate.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 5 facts