WordWeb Online

1. A partially opened flower
    
2. A swelling on a plant stem consisting of overlapping immature leaves or petals
    
3. [N. Amer, informal] A close friend, esp. one who often acts as a companion
   - buddy [informal], brother, chum [informal], crony [informal], pal [informal], cobber [Austral, informal], compadre, paisano [US]

1. Develop buds
   "The hibiscus is budding!"
    
2. Start to grow or develop
   "a budding friendship"

Derived forms: budded, budding, buds

See also: sidekick [informal]

Type of: begin, bloom, blossom, china [Brit, informal], develop, flower, friend, mate [Brit, informal], sprout, start

Encyclopedia: Bud, Sweat and Beers