“He's a close friend — we've met twice.”
Usage Entry 1342 / 1350 60-second read
Friend vs. Acquaintance
Someone you know well and are close to versus someone you know but aren't close to.
The comparisoni
“He's an acquaintance — we've met twice but aren't close. Friends are people you know well.”
The ruleii
¶
FRIEND = close. ACQUAINTANCE = know-of.
FRIEND is someone you know well and trust — emotional closeness over time. ACQUAINTANCE is someone you know but aren't close to — colleagues you don't socialise with, people you met at a party. Casual usage blurs this; formal distinction holds.
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Friend deep. Acquaintance shallow.