1. A swelling on a plant stem consisting of overlapping immature leaves or petals
   "The rose buds were just beginning to open"
    
2. A partially opened flower
   "The rosebush was covered in buds, promising a beautiful display in the coming days"
    
3. [N. Amer, informal] A close friend, esp. one who often acts as a companion
   "The politician was often seen with his longtime bud";
   - buddy [informal], chum [informal], crony [informal], pal [informal], compadre, cobber [Austral, informal], paisano [US]
    
4. [N. Amer, slang] A street name for marijuana
   "Teens were caught smoking bud behind the school";
   - pot [slang], grass [slang], green goddess [slang], dope [slang], weed [slang], gage [slang], sess [slang], sens [slang], smoke [slang], skunk [slang], locoweed [N. Amer, slang], Mary Jane [slang]

1. Develop buds
   "The hibiscus is budding!"
    
2. Start to grow or develop
   "a budding friendship"
    
3. Graft by inserting a bud from one plant into another
   "The gardener budded the rose onto hardier rootstock"

Derived forms: budding, budded, buds

See also: sidekick [informal]

Type of: begin, bloom, blossom, cannabis, china [Brit, informal], dagga [S.Africa], develop, flower, friend, ganja, kef, kif, marihuana, marijuana, mate [Brit, informal], sprout, start

Encyclopedia: Bud, Weis and Er