pal
/pæl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A close friend; a companion: "pal" refers to a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection and shared activities, typically used in informal contexts.
- A buddy or mate: It denotes a familiar and trusted friend, often used as a term of address.
Verb:
- To become friends with someone; to associate as pals: The act of forming a friendly relationship.
- To act in a friendly manner towards someone: To behave like a friend.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- He's been my pal since we were in kindergarten.
- Thanks for helping me move, you're a real pal.
Verb:
- They met at the club and quickly paled around.
- The new student hoped to pal with some of his classmates.
Advanced Usage
"pal around": To spend time together as friends; to hang out.
- The two actors often pal around when they're not filming.
"pen pal": A person with whom one becomes friendly by exchanging letters, often from another country. (Note: This is a compound noun listed separately as a variant.)
- She has had a pen pal in Japan for over ten years.
Variants and Related Words
Pal up (phrasal verb): To become friends.
- They paled up during the summer camp.
Pen pal (n): A friend made and kept through correspondence.
- Chum (n): A close friend (synonymous with 'pal').
Synonyms
- Buddy: A close friend, a partner.
- Mate: A friend, especially in British English.
- Chum: A familiar friend.
- Comrade: A companion who shares one's activities.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Pal up (with someone): To become friends with someone.
- He paled up with the other new employees.
Related Idioms
Be an old pal: To be a long-standing friend.
- Do me a favor, be an old pal.
Pal of mine: A common, informal way to refer to a friend.
- He's a pal of mine from college.
Noun
- a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
Verb
- become friends; act friendly towards