be ‧ friend /bɪˈfrend/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ friend , ↑ friendliness , ↑ friendship , ↑ friendly ; adjective : ↑ friendly ≠ ↑ unfriendly , ↑ friendless ; verb : ↑ befriend ]
to behave in a friendly way towards someone, especially someone who is younger or needs help:
They befriended me when I first arrived in London as a student.