Collocations about Friendship

Collocations about Friendship

Collocations about Friendship

Hello English learners!  How many close friends do you have? Friendship is one of the most precious parts of life — and also a great topic to build your English vocabulary! In today’s lesson, you will learn some common collocations about friendship that will help you sound more natural and fluent in everyday conversation and in your Cambridge exams (B2 First & C1 Advanced).

What Are Collocations and Why Should You Learn Them?

Collocations are natural combinations of words that English speakers use together. They make your English sound smooth and idiomatic.

For example:

• We make friends (not do friends).
• We do homework, not make homework.
• We go shopping, not go to shopping.

The best way to learn collocations is in context — from books, films, or conversations. Whenever you learn a new word, look at which words usually go with it. This habit will help you remember and use them correctly in speaking and writing.

Collocations about Friendship

Here’s a useful list of friendship collocations with meanings and examples:

Make friends

Meaning: to become friends with someone.

• Children typically make friends more easily than adults.
• I’ve made friends with my new neighbour. He’s a great guy!

Strike up a friendship

Meaning: to start a friendship with someone.

• I often strike up friendships when travelling.
• Sara never liked her husband striking up friendships with other women.

Close friend

Meaning: someone you trust and feel comfortable with.

• David is my close friend and confidant.
• People feel most at ease around their close friends.

Lifelong friend

Meaning: someone you have been friends with for most of your life.

• When I met Simon at school, I didn’t know we’d become lifelong friends.
• They went through hard times together and remained lifelong friends.

A long-standing friendship

Meaning: a friendship that has lasted a long time.

• The two men enjoyed a long-standing friendship.
• Tara and Mary shared a long-standing friendship, even though they rarely met.

Casual acquaintance

Meaning: someone you know but aren’t close to.

• Paul is just a casual acquaintance, not a close friend.
• Fiona bumped into a casual acquaintance in Bristol.

On friendly terms

Meaning: to have a good, polite relationship with someone.

• Celia is on friendly terms with all her colleagues.
• Although divorced, they remained on friendly terms.

Stand the test of time

Meaning: to last for a long time despite difficulties.

• True friendships stand the test of time.
• Their marriage has stood the test of time.

Win someone’s trust

Meaning: to earn someone’s confidence and belief.

• It takes time to win someone’s trust.
• Ian worked hard to win Sara’s trust after the argument.

Develop a friendship

Meaning: to gradually become friends.

• Mira developed a friendship with Terry at work.
• Their friendship slowly developed into something more.

Renew a friendship

Meaning: to reconnect with an old friend.

• He was happy to renew a friendship with his old schoolmate.
• Meeting you again gives us the chance to renew our friendship.

Spoil a friendship

Meaning: to damage or end a friendship.

• Her jealousy spoiled their friendship.
• I hope this misunderstanding doesn’t spoil our friendship.

Why This Lesson Is Perfect for FCE and CAE Students

If you’re preparing for the Cambridge B2 First (FCE) or C1 Advanced (CAE) exam, learning collocations like these will make your speaking and writing sound more fluent and natural.

In Part 2 of the Speaking test, you often describe people and relationships — these collocations will help you do it effortlessly.

In Writing tasks (letters, essays, reviews), using collocations correctly can boost your vocabulary score.

👉 So, take notes, make your own example sentences, and use them in your daily conversations or writing practice.

If you really want to learn English but don’t know how to do it and where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Tap the banner to learn more!