1. A close friend, esp. one who often acts as a companion
   "The politician was often seen with his longtime buddy";
   - chum [informal], crony [informal], pal [informal], compadre, bud [N. Amer, informal], cobber [Austral, informal], paisano [US]
    
2. An informal and friendly term of address to a stranger
   "Excuse me, buddy, could you tell me the time?";
   - mate [informal]

1. Form small teams, especially pairs
   "The students buddied up for the group project";
   - buddy up [informal]
    
2. Be friendly towards someone; become friends with someone
   "He tried to buddy up to his new colleagues";
   - buddy up [informal]

Derived forms: buddied, buddying, buddies

See also: sidekick [informal]

Type of: china [Brit, informal], friend, mate [Brit, informal]

Encyclopedia: Buddy, can you spare a dime