bosom friend: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Rare (in modern usage)Literary, somewhat archaic, formal or elevated
Quick answer
What does “bosom friend” mean?
A very close, intimate, and trusted friend with whom one shares deep secrets and emotional connection.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very close, intimate, and trusted friend with whom one shares deep secrets and emotional connection.
A friend regarded as part of one's inner circle or family, often with a history of long-standing loyalty and shared experiences. The term conveys emotional closeness rather than romantic attachment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is more likely to be encountered in British literary or period contexts. In American English, it sounds notably old-fashioned or consciously literary.
Connotations
In both: evokes a 19th-century or early 20th-century sensibility. Can sound sentimental or quaint.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in spoken language for both. Higher likelihood of appearance in British novels, historical dramas, or formal writing than in American equivalents.
Grammar
How to Use “bosom friend” in a Sentence
[Subject] + be/consider + (to be) + bosom friends with + [Person][Person A] and [Person B] + be/become + bosom friendsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bosom friend” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable. There is no verb form derived from 'bosom friend'.
American English
- Not applicable. There is no verb form derived from 'bosom friend'.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. There is no adverb form.
American English
- Not applicable. There is no adverb form.
adjective
British English
- Their bosom-friend relationship was the envy of the school.
- She had a bosom-friend pact with Eleanor.
American English
- Their bosom-friend status was known to all.
- It was a bosom-friend kind of loyalty.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used. Would be highly inappropriate and odd.
Academic
Rare, possibly in literary analysis or historical studies discussing relationships.
Everyday
Virtually never used in contemporary casual speech. Would elicit a surprised or amused reaction.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bosom friend”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bosom friend”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bosom friend”
- Using it in modern casual conversation.
- Using it for a recent or not-very-close friend.
- Spelling 'bosom' as 'boosum' or 'bossom'.
- Assuming it has a romantic connotation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not inherently romantic. It describes a platonic, deeply intimate friendship, most commonly between women. The intimacy is emotional, not sexual.
Historically, yes, the term was used for deep friendships between men. However, in modern understanding and usage, it is overwhelmingly applied to female friendships and might sound unusual if applied to men.
Its peak usage was in the 18th and 19th centuries. The word 'bosom' in this metaphorical sense has largely fallen out of everyday speech, replaced by words like 'close' or 'intimate'. It now survives mainly in literary or deliberate archaism.
A 'best friend' is a common modern term. A 'bosom friend' carries stronger connotations of historical context, emotional confidentiality, and a almost familial level of intimacy. It suggests a friend who is like a sister, privy to one's innermost thoughts.
A very close, intimate, and trusted friend with whom one shares deep secrets and emotional connection.
Bosom friend is usually literary, somewhat archaic, formal or elevated in register.
Bosom friend: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʊz.əm frend/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbʊz.əm frend/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “thick as thieves (similar intensity of friendship but different register)”
- “joined at the hip (emphasizes constant companionship)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a secret (a note) being kept safe in the *bosom* (inside pocket) of a coat, shared only with your closest *friend*.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTIMACY IS PHYSICAL CLOSENESS / THE HEART (OR CHEST) IS THE SEAT OF INTIMATE FEELINGS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'bosom friend' be MOST appropriately used today?