good buddy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “good buddy” mean?
A term of friendly, informal address for a male friend or acquaintance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A term of friendly, informal address for a male friend or acquaintance.
Historically, a term used among truckers on CB (Citizens Band) radio to refer to fellow drivers, especially friendly ones. Can also be used ironically or to sound folksy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, it is very rare and sounds like an Americanism. In American English, it is recognized, primarily from trucker culture or regional Southern/Midwestern speech.
Connotations
In the US: friendly, folksy, possibly nostalgic. In the UK: perceived as an Americanism, may be used for humorous effect.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English, though still a low-frequency term.
Grammar
How to Use “good buddy” in a Sentence
[Vocative: Hey/Well] + good buddyPossessive + good buddy (e.g., my good buddy)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “good buddy” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He's a good buddy of mine from the army.
- He's not just a colleague; he's a good buddy.
American English
- I'm going fishing with my good buddy Jake.
- He's been a good buddy to me through tough times.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Rare informal address among close friends, often jocular or regional.
Technical
Specific historical use in CB radio lingo.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “good buddy”
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Overusing it, making speech sound affected.
- Using it to address someone you don't know well.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is traditionally a masculine term. 'Buddy' itself is generally male-oriented.
Its use has declined significantly since the 1970s/80s peak of CB radio popularity, but it remains a recognized part of trucking lingo.
It means 'Message received and understood, friend.' '10-4' is a CB radio ten-code for affirmation.
Absolutely not. It is strictly informal and would be considered highly unprofessional.
A term of friendly, informal address for a male friend or acquaintance.
Good buddy is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Good buddy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡʊd ˈbʌd.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡʊd ˈbʌd.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"10-4, good buddy" (CB radio acknowledgement, meaning message received and understood).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a friendly trucker giving a thumbs-up and saying, "10-4, good buddy!" linking it to American road culture.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOODNESS IS AFFILIATION (a 'good' person is one you are connected to).
Practice
Quiz
In which context was 'good buddy' most famously used?