buddy

1 of 3

noun

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

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
Allen Covert, a college buddy, appears alongside Adam, kicking off a long history of collaboration. Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 30 July 2025 Dog and cat parents may glean benefits beyond a cuddle buddy. Helen Carefoot, Verywell Health, 29 July 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
There may never be another buddy comedy pair with chemistry like John Cho and Kal Penn. Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 30 Nov. 2022 It’s a buddy movie where the buddies can also go their separate ways. Marta Balaga, Variety, 20 Aug. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Buddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buddy. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

buddy

noun
bud·​dy
ˈbəd-ē
plural buddies

More from Merriam-Webster on buddy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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