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Ego Gh Posted 10 years ago
Vocabulary

synonyms "true friend"?

Hi,
Could you tell me the differences between "true friend" and the following expressions?
real friend
genuine friend
actual friend
authentic friend

For example, I'm not sure if actual friend points whether to a friendship relation or to the physical presence of a friend.

Is "true friend" the most common way to mean 'true friend'?

Thanks
  

Top answer

In the US, "true friend" is the only one used in the sense of an exceptionally good friend. "Actual friend" cannot be used in this sense - or in any sense in English. "Real friend" is heard in the US, but in a different sense: the person is a good, by not exceptionally good, friend.

— Anonymous

  • In the US, "true friend" is the only one used in the sense of an exceptionally good friend.
  • "Actual friend" cannot be used in this sense - or in any sense in English.
  • "Real friend" is heard in the US, but in a different sense: the person is a good, by not exceptionally good, friend.
  • "Genuine friend" and "authentic friend" have the same sense as "true friend," but they are not used in the US.
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2 Answers
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In the US, "true friend" is the only one used in the sense of an exceptionally good friend. "Actual friend" cannot be used in this sense - or in any sense in English. "Real friend" is heard in the US, but in a different sense: the person is a good, by not exceptionally good, friend. "Genuine friend" and "authentic friend" have the same sense as "true friend," but they are not used in the US.
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True friend and real friend mean roughly the same thing in BrE. The other terms are not used in this sense.
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