friend ‧ ship W3 /ˈfrendʃɪp/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ friend , ↑ friendliness , ↑ friendship , ↑ friendly ; adjective : ↑ friendly ≠ ↑ unfriendly , ↑ friendless ; verb : ↑ befriend ]
1 . [countable] a relationship between friends
friendship between
The friendship between father and youth deepened.
friendship with
his friendship with Sam
her close friendship with her aunt
a lifelong friendship
The two boys formed a deep and lasting friendship.
He and Bob struck up a friendship (=began to be friends) .
2 . [uncountable] the feelings and behaviour that exist between friends:
I could always rely on Gary for friendship and support.
The Indians have extended the hand of friendship (=shown that they want to be friends with another country) .
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ start a friendship
Their friendship started after they met at a conference.
▪ strike up a friendship
He and Matthew struck up a friendship.
▪ form a friendship
The two girls soon formed a friendship.
▪ a friendship develops
Friendship often develops on the basis of shared interests.
▪ renew a friendship (=become friends again)
They renewed their friendship after the war.
▪ destroy/spoil a friendship
Their friendship was spoilt after a fierce argument.
■ adjectives
▪ a close friendship
Ron had formed a close relationship with Andrea.
▪ a firm friendship (=one that is strong and not likely to change)
I established a firm friendship with Terence.
▪ a lasting friendship
This began a lasting friendship between the two women.
▪ a long-standing friendship (=one that has existed for a long time)
There is a long-standing friendship between the two countries.
▪ a lifelong friendship
The two men formed a lifelong friendship.
■ phrases
▪ bonds/ties of friendship (=things that connect friends)
They were united by deep bonds of friendship.
▪ a gesture of friendship (=an action which shows that someone is a friend)
He invited us to his house as a gesture of friendship.
▪ an offer of friendship
He turned down the King's offer of friendship.
▪ offer/extend the hand of friendship (=officially say that you want a friendly relationship)
America extended the hand of friendship, but it was rejected.