Where does “friend” come from?

friend (Chinese) comes from English Friend, from Middle English frend, from Old English frēond, from Proto-Germanic frijōndz, from Proto-Indo-European prēy- — to like, love; like, love.

friend (Chinese): friend; in a close or friendly relationship

Definitions

  1. friend; in a close or friendly relationship

Ancestry of “friend”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishFriendA Quaker; a member of the Society of Friends;...
2Middle EnglishfrendA friend or compatriot; a close associate; A...
3Old Englishfrēondfriend, friendly; friend, relative, lover
4Proto-Germanicfrijōndzfriend, loved one
5Proto-Indo-Europeanprēy-to like, love; like, love
Every word from Proto-Indo-European prēy-Every word from Proto-Germanic frijōndzEvery word from Old English frēond
friend — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer