Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Intimate, friendly, close: "buddy-buddy" describes a relationship characterized by excessive or conspicuously close familiarity and friendliness. It often implies a relationship that is noticeably informal, chummy, or overly friendly, sometimes to the point of seeming insincere or exclusive.

Usage

• The adjective "buddy-buddy" is used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "be" or "seem"). It is an informal, slightly colloquial term.
• It often carries a connotation of closeness that is either genuine and warm or, alternatively, perceived as excessive, cliquish, or artificially friendly.

Examples

• Attributive use:
  • I don't trust their buddy-buddy relationship; it seems more like a business alliance.
  • He has a buddy-buddy manner with everyone in the office.
• Predicative use:
  • The manager and the new intern got buddy-buddy very quickly.
  • They were acting all buddy-buddy at the party, but I know they don't really like each other.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used to describe behavior as well as a state of relationship.
  • Stop being so buddy-buddy with the boss; people will think you're trying to gain favor.
• It can sometimes have a slightly negative or skeptical nuance, questioning the authenticity of the friendship.

Variants and Related Words

• Buddy (n): A close friend; a comrade. (e.g., )
• Chummy (adj): Informal synonym for friendly and intimate. (e.g., )
• Pally (adj): Informal term meaning friendly or intimate. (e.g., )

Synonyms

• Chummy: Friendly in an intimate way.
• Thick: Very friendly or intimate (as in "thick as thieves").
• Familiar: Closely acquainted; intimate.
• Palsy-walsy: Informal term meaning affectionately friendly.

Antonyms

• Distant: Not intimate; reserved.
• Formal: Following conventional rules of behavior; not familiar.
• Aloof: Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant.
• Hostile: Unfriendly; antagonistic.

Idioms and Phrases

• Thick as thieves: An idiom meaning very close and secretive, sharing confidences. This is a close conceptual relative to "buddy-buddy."
  • Ever since they worked on that project together, they've been as thick as thieves.

Adjective

1. (used informally) associated on close terms
   • a close friend
   • the bartender was chummy with the regular customers
   • the two were thick as thieves for months