[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/befriend/)

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# befriend

verb (befriend, befriends, befriended, befriending)

«befriend» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To become a friend to someone, especially someone who is new, lonely or needs help. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/befriend/#m1)
2. To make friends with an animal so it trusts you. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/befriend/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories it tells the reader a character is kind and reaching out to someone. In PSHE and online safety, a warning: strangers online may try to befriend children to trick them — tell a trusted adult. Phrases: «befriend a new pupil», «was befriended by».

### Examples

- Maya befriended the new girl on her first day. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/befriend/#x1)
- The lonely old man was befriended by a little dog. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/befriend/#x2)
- We befriended a robin that came to our window every morning. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/befriend/#x3)
- Be careful if a stranger online tries to befriend you. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/befriend/#x4)
- He befriended a boy who sat alone at lunch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/befriend/#x5)
- The children befriended the shy horse with carrots. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/befriend/#x6)
- In the story, the mouse befriends the lion. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/befriend/#x7)
- "I was going to befriend you, and you repay me by trying to kill me. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/befriend/#x8)

### Note

Regular verb: befriended, befriending. It takes an object: you befriend someone (not «befriend with»). More formal and storybook-like than «make friends with». Opposite idea: to shun or ignore someone.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «befriend» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/befriend/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«befriend» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/befriend.html) on Mova free.