Slang Words For Friend

International Friendship Day is this Sunday and Kaplan is celebrating by looking at how people use different words when talking to friends.

Common slang words for friend in some English-speaking countries:

Pal 

This word is most commonly used in Scotland. A pal is someone you spend a lot of time with. It can also be used as a verb, as in "they were just palling around."

Buddy

This one is definitely more common in the US and Canada. In a way, it's almost the North American equivalent to the term "mate." In some instances, this word might be shortened to "bud," which essentially means the same thing.

Mate 

Very common in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, "mate" is a word that means so much more than just "friend." Often times, it is used when addressing anyone (whether that is your good friend or the guy who is delivering your pizza). It's a friendly and endearing term which can be used in almost any situation.

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Chum 

This word is a pretty old fashioned British term; it was first used in the 19th century! You probably won't hear it as often as these other terms, but what you will hear is the adjective "chummy," which means friendly. You might refer to two people as being "very chummy" with one another.

Bro

Deriving from the word "brother," "bro" is a term that is most often used by people who are characterized as preppy or jocks. This word was a big favorite in the fraternity houses of the US, but has become more commonly used on a global scale in recent years.

Dude 

A "dude" can really be anyone, not just a friend. But used in the right context, it can be a term of endearment. This is one of those words that changes meaning depending on the context. It can also be used as an exclamation, as in, "Dude! That was crazy!" Once considered more popular in North America, this term is now universal.

Partner in crime 

Despite the ominous sounding phrase, this really just refers to someone you do things with. These things can be mischievous, but they are not necessarily illegal, except maybe in the case of Thelma and Louise...