befriends

Befriends is the third-person singular present tense of the verb befriend. To befriend someone is to establish a friendship with them or to treat them as a friend; the act typically involves approaching, getting to know, and building a relationship based on trust, warmth, or mutual interest.

Etymology and usage: The word is formed from the prefix be- together with friend, and is attested in Early Modern English. It is used transitively with an object, as in "She befriends the newcomer" or "The volunteer befriends residents at the care facility." In modern English, befriending can also describe online actions such as befriending someone on a social network.

Usage notes: Befriending usually carries a positive or neutral tone, emphasizing goodwill. In some contexts it can imply deliberate outreach or strategy, especially when the befriended person is wary or vulnerable. The corresponding past tense is befriended, and the present participle is befriending.

In culture and technology: In social media and online communities, the term is often rendered as befriending or simply adding as a friend, depending on platform. The concept is closely related to synonyms such as make friends, form a friendship, or be on friendly terms with.

See also: befriend, friendship, befriending.