Slang Words for Friends (And How to Use Them)

Written by Gabriel Cruz - Foodie, Animal Lover, Slang & Language Enthusiast

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When something is important, we create lots of words to refer to it. You’ve probably heard, for instance, that the Inuit people have plenty of words for snow, since it is an important concept to them.

One widely important concept is friendship. Because friends are such a vital part in so many lives, people have developed tons of words to describe these important figures.

We’ve compiled a list of slang words for friends here. Keep in mind, however, that the majority of these words are used by English speakers, so don’t worry if a slang word for friend in your culture doesn’t appear on this particular list.

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Slang Words for Friends

A

Amigo

Meaning:

  • (Noun): Spanish word for friend. Although it is Spanish in origin, many English speakers are familiar with the word and use it regularly.
  • Example: “This is my amigo, Ben.”

Are you interested in learning more slang words in Spanish? Read our guide to the top Mexican slang words and phrases.

Amigo

B

Bestie

Meaning:

  • (Noun): A shortened way of saying “best friend.” Use this to refer to your closest friends.
  • Example: “I’ve known her since I was two. She’s my bestie.”
Bestie

BFF

Meaning:

  • (Noun): Acronym for “best friend forever.” Like bestie, you would use this only in reference to your closest friends. This term is more common with women than with men.
  • Example: “I would do anything for her because she’s my BFF.”
BFF

Boy

Meaning:

  • (Noun): A male friend. Generally used for friends you trust more.
  • Example: “See that guy? That’s Juan. He’s my boy.”
Boy

Bro

Meaning:

  • (Noun): Shortened version of “brother.” This can be applied both to close male friends and more distant male acquaintances. It’s commonly put in front of words with ‘ro’ sounds for extra fun effects, such as brotato or brotagonist.
  • Example: “How’s it going, bro?”
Bro

Bromance

Meaning:

  • (Noun): An intensely close (but still platonic) relationship between two men.
  • Example: “Tom has a bromance with Adam. They’ve been best friends for years.”
Bromance

Brother from Another Mother

Meaning:

  • (Noun): An extremely close male friend. In some ways, it’s like saying “bestie” or “BFF.”
  • Example: “I’ve been friends with Darius since I was in diapers. He’s like my brother from another mother.”
Brother from Another Mother

Bruv

Meaning:

  • (Noun): Another shortened version of brother. This one originates in the UK.
  • Example: “You know I’m here for you, bruv, but you’re still asking for too much.”
Bruv

Buddy

Meaning:

  • Definition 1: (Noun): A close friend. You can use it for friends of any gender, but it’s often applied to male friends.
  • Example: “Joe is my buddy. I go fishing with him almost every weekend.”
  • Definition 2: (Verb): The act of getting close to someone platonically.
  • Example: “I’m going to buddy up to my boss, so he gives me a raise.”
Buddy

C

Chica

Meaning:

  • (Noun): One of a few Spanish words for girl. This is frequently used as a friendly way of addressing female friends.
  • Example: “You’re so amazing, chica!”
Chica

Chum

Meaning:

  • Definition 1: (Noun): A gender-neutral term for a close friend in your social circle.
  • Example: “Rob and I hang out every weekend because he’s my chum.”
  • Definition 2: (Verb): Befriending someone.
  • Example: “I’ve been chumming around with Victor lately.”
Chum

Comrade

Meaning:

  • (Noun): You can use this to address a time-honored friend who has been through a lot with you.
  • Example: “Zeke is my comrade. We’ve been through thick and thin together.”
Comrade

Crew

Meaning:

  • (Noun): Your inner circle of friends. It’s never used for just a single person, but for a group of friends.
  • Example: “I’ve known my crew since we were all in kindergarten together.”
Crew

F

Fam

Meaning:

  • (Noun): Shortened word for “family.” Although it’s an abbreviated version of family, it’s usually still only used in reference to a single person.
  • Example: “How’ve you been doing, fam?”
Fam

G

Girl

Meaning:

  • (Noun): This one is used similarly to “boy,” except for female friends. You can use it to address or refer to a close female friend.
  • Example: “Alicia is my girl. She’s had my back for years.”
Girl

H

Homeboy/Homegirl

Meaning:

  • (Noun): A term that’s usually reserved for friends that grew up with you or are from the same area. Use “boy” or “girl” depending on whether the person is male or female.
  • Example: “Eric’s my homeboy. He grew up in the house next door.”
Homeboy_Homegirl

Homeslice

Meaning:

  • (Noun): Gender-neutral version of homeboy or homegirl.
  • Example: “My homeslice, Maria, was born in the same hospital as me.”
Homeslice

Homie

Meaning:

  • (Noun): Similar in meaning to homeboy/girl and homeslice. Alternatively, homie is sometimes what you call someone in the same group or even gang as you.
  • Example: “My homie Ben and I play for the same baseball team.”
Homie

K

Kemosabe

Meaning:

  • (Noun): Originally from old TV show The Lone Ranger. Some people may use it in reference to their most trusted friends.
  • Example: “Thanks for having my back, Kemosabe.”
Kemos

M

Mate

Meaning:

  • (Noun): A friend you love hanging out with. This is more popular in the UK or even Australia than in the US.
  • Example: “I’m going out to lunch with my mate, Josh.”
Mate

P

Pal

Meaning:

  • (Noun): Short, easy word for friend. Unlike many of the other words on this list, pal doesn’t imply closeness, so it works well for acquaintances.
  • Example: “Hank and I are pals.”
Pal

Partner in Crime

Meaning:

  • (Noun): It may sound illegal, but partner in crime is just what you may call a friend that you can always rely on. This is someone you usually form intricate plans with.
  • Example: “Liz is my partner in crime. I can always plan to have a good time with her.”
Partner in Crime

Peeps

Meaning:

  • (Noun): Short for “people.” Like fam, you would use this in reference to a group of friends rather than an individual person.
  • Example: “Here’s a picture of me and my peeps at the beach.”
Peeps

R

Ride or Die

Meaning:

  • (Noun): A friend who’s so close, you could even trust them to potentially die for you. This term is also sometimes used in a romantic sense, so it helps to add “friend” or “bestie” at the end to clarify what you mean.
  • Example: “Candice is my ride or die bestie. I know she’ll always be there for me.”
Ride or Die

S

Sis

Meaning:

  • (Noun): Short for “sister.” It can be used to refer to your sister, but it’s just as often used to refer to close female friends.
  • Example: “I’ve known my sis Patrice since I was a baby.”
Sis

Sister from Another Mister

Meaning:

  • (Noun): This is the female version of “brother from another mother.” Use it similarly for a female friend who’s so close to you, she might as well be a sister.
  • Example: “She’s my sister from another mister because she’s had my back since I was in grade school.”
Sister from Another Mister

Squad

Meaning:

  • (Noun): A group of close-knit friends. It’s more common to hear women refer to their friends this way than men, but it’s still gender neutral.
  • Example: “This is a selfie I took with my squad while we were bar hopping the other night.”
Squad

Wrap Up

As you can see, there are tons of words out there for friend. This just goes to show that some of the most important people in our life are the friends who come along for the ride.

If you’d like to see more slang terms for friend, take a look at our list of New York slang words for best friend. It will give you even more ways to talk about the closest people in your circle!

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