friendship

plural friendships

1. uncountableThe condition of being friends.

   But (as the Poet ſaith) Malè ſarta gratia, nequicquam coit, & reſcinditur: Friendſhip, that is but euill peeced, will not ioine cloſe, but falleth aſunder againe:

   1570, William Lambard, quoting Horace, A Perambulation of Kent, published 1596, page 341

   3 more examples

   We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over.

   1816 [1777], James Boswell, quoting Samuel Johnson, The life of Samuel Johnson […] , volume 3, T. Cadell and W. Davies, page 181

   Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art, like the universe itself (for God did not need to create). It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.

   1960, C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves, HarperCollins, published 2010, →ISBN, →OCLC

   “They’re cuddling by the fire, they’re going on trips together, they’re introducing their friends to their family, but they’re very clear that those are friendships,” Stinson said. “It really makes me think about the definitions that we have about friendship and romance, and how those things differ, and I just like how messy it all is.”

   2021 July 20, Sarah Molano, “Most romantic relationships start as friendships, study finds”, in CNN, archived from the original on 04 Mar 2022

   Synonyms: chumship

2. countableA friendly relationship, or a relationship as friends.

   In good times and bad, in sickness and health, the benefits of friendships between women are physically and psychologically undeniable.

   2024 August 4, Terry Ward, “Fragile and complex, female friendships hinge on the three S’s, a new book says”, in CNN, archived from the original on 22 Aug 2024

   1 more example

   “They’re cuddling by the fire, they’re going on trips together, they’re introducing their friends to their family, but they’re very clear that those are friendships,” Stinson said. “It really makes me think about the definitions that we have about friendship and romance, and how those things differ, and I just like how messy it all is.”

   2021 July 20, Sarah Molano, “Most romantic relationships start as friendships, study finds”, in CNN, archived from the original on 04 Mar 2022

   Synonyms: entente cordiale

3. uncountableGood will.

1. A number of places in the United States:
   1. A town in Hot Spring County, Arkansas.
   2. An unincorporated community in Brown Township, Ripley County, Indiana.
   3. An unincorporated community in Caldwell County, Kentucky.
   4. A town in Knox County, Maine.
   5. A census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
   6. An unincorporated community in Worcester County, Maryland.
   7. A township in Emmet County, Michigan.
   8. A township in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota.
   9. An unincorporated community in Upper Pittsgrove Township, Salem County, New Jersey.
   10. A town and census-designated place therein, in Allegany County, New York.
   11. An unincorporated community in Cherokee County, North Carolina.
   12. An unincorporated community in Wake County, North Carolina.
   13. A census-designated place in Nile Township, Scioto County, Ohio.
   14. A small town in Jackson County, Oklahoma.
   15. A neighbourhood in east Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
   16. An unincorporated community in Marion County, South Carolina.
   17. A minor city in Crockett County, Tennessee.
   18. A town in Trinity County, Texas.
   19. An unincorporated community in Washington County, Virginia.
   20. A town in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin.
   21. A village, the county seat of Adams County, Wisconsin.
2. A town in Coronie District, Suriname.