Friending: meaning, definitions and examples

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friending

[ˈfrɛndɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

social media

The act of adding someone as a friend on a social networking site.

Synonyms

adding as a friend, connecting with.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
friending	Generally used in casual or colloquial contexts to describe the act of becoming friends with someone, either online or offline. Are you friending the new guy in our class?
adding as a friend	Commonly used in various social media platforms when you want to include someone in your list of friends. After our meeting, I added her as a friend on LinkedIn.
connecting with	Often used in a more professional setting or on platforms like LinkedIn to indicate the formation of a professional relationship. I look forward to connecting with you on LinkedIn.

Word

Description / Examples

friending

Generally used in casual or colloquial contexts to describe the act of becoming friends with someone, either online or offline.

Are you friending the new guy in our class?

adding as a friend

Commonly used in various social media platforms when you want to include someone in your list of friends.

After our meeting, I added her as a friend on LinkedIn.

connecting with

Often used in a more professional setting or on platforms like LinkedIn to indicate the formation of a professional relationship.

I look forward to connecting with you on LinkedIn.

Examples of usage

I've been friending a lot of people on Facebook recently.
She enjoys friending new connections on LinkedIn.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

informal

The process of making friends or establishing new connections.

Synonyms

building connections, making friends.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
friending	Typically used in the context of social media when someone sends a friend request to connect online. I just friended you on Facebook, check your notifications. She spends a lot of time friending people on various social media platforms.
making friends	Used in general social situations to describe the act of forming friendly relationships with others. Starting a new school can be challenging, but I'm sure you'll be making friends soon. Making friends is easy for her because she's so outgoing.
building connections	Used in a professional or networking context, focusing on creating and nurturing relationships that could be beneficial in business or career advancements. Building connections at industry conferences is essential for career growth. He is very good at building connections within the tech community.

Word

Description / Examples

friending

Typically used in the context of social media when someone sends a friend request to connect online.

I just friended you on Facebook, check your notifications.
She spends a lot of time friending people on various social media platforms.

making friends

Used in general social situations to describe the act of forming friendly relationships with others.

Starting a new school can be challenging, but I'm sure you'll be making friends soon.
Making friends is easy for her because she's so outgoing.

building connections

Used in a professional or networking context, focusing on creating and nurturing relationships that could be beneficial in business or career advancements.

Building connections at industry conferences is essential for career growth.
He is very good at building connections within the tech community.

Examples of usage

She finds friending people online to be a great way to expand her network.
Friending can lead to valuable relationships in both personal and professional settings.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'friending' originated with early social networking sites, especially with the rise of MySpace in the early 2000s.
It combines 'friend' with the verb form, signifying the act of claiming someone as a friend in a digital space.
The word gained mainstream popularity with Facebook, which prompted millions to 'friend' one another.

Cultural Impact

'Friending' has transformed social interactions, where people now connect across different countries and cultures.
It has also brought up discussions about the quality of relationships in a digital age compared to face-to-face friendships.
Various languages have adopted the term, showing its influence beyond English-speaking nations.

Psychology

Studies suggest that 'friending' can boost feelings of social belonging and self-esteem through online connections.
However, excessive friending can also lead to superficial relationships lacking depth and emotional support.
The way people 'friend' can reflect their personal values, such as openness and interest in diversity.

Technology

Social media platforms have made friending a fundamental feature, often with options to customize privacy settings.
Algorithms help suggest friends based on mutual connections, likes, and interests.
The concept has also led to terms like 'unfriending' and 'defriending', indicating the removal of someone from a friends list.

Literature

In contemporary literature, 'friending' often appears as a theme, exploring the dynamics of relationships formed online.
Characters in novels often navigate the complexities of digital friendships, portraying real-life issues such as loneliness and conflict.
Poetry about 'friending' reflects the fleeting nature of connections made today, contrasting with deeper historical bonds.

Translations

Translations of the word "friending" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fazer amizade

🇮🇳 मित्रता करना

🇩🇪 Freundschaft schließen

🇮🇩 berteman

🇺🇦 дружити

🇵🇱 zaprzyjaźnianie się

🇯🇵 友達になる

🇫🇷 se lier d'amitié

🇪🇸 hacerse amigo

🇹🇷 arkadaşlık kurma

🇰🇷 친구가 되다

🇸🇦 تكوين صداقات

🇨🇿 přátelení

🇸🇰 spriatelenie

🇨🇳 交朋友

🇸🇮 prijateljevanje

🇮🇸 vinátta

🇰🇿 достар болу

🇬🇪 მეგობრობა

🇦🇿 dost olmaq

🇲🇽 hacerse amigo