A friend is someone you choose to spend time with because you enjoy their company and care about each other. Unlike family members, whom you're born with, or classmates, whom you're assigned, friends are people you connect with because you want to.

Real friendship involves sharing interests, laughing at each other's jokes, and feeling comfortable being yourselves around each other. Friends also support each other when things get tough: a true friend listens when you're upset, celebrates when you succeed, and stays loyal even when it's not convenient.

Friendships take effort to maintain. Good friends reach out to each other, make time to talk or play together, and work through disagreements instead of giving up at the first conflict. When you hurt a friend's feelings, you apologize. When they need help, you show up.

The word can also describe nations that support each other (France and America have been friends since the American Revolution) or someone who supports a cause (friends of the library help fund community programs).