unfriend
B2Informal, primarily digital/online communication
Definition
Meaning
To remove someone from one's list of friends or contacts on a social media platform.
To deliberately end a social connection, especially in digital contexts; can metaphorically describe severing a personal relationship.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The action is typically deliberate and digital. While the core meaning is social media, it can be used humorously or metaphorically for real-life relationships.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The verb is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more established in American English due to earlier widespread social media adoption, but fully understood in British English.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties within digital/social media contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] unfriends [Object][Subject] got unfriended by [Agent]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “unfriend and forget”
- “a quick unfriend”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions of social media strategy or professional networking etiquette.
Academic
Very rare. May appear in studies of digital communication or sociology.
Everyday
Common in informal talk about social media interactions.
Technical
Used in the context of social media platforms and their features.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I had to unfriend him after his constant political rants.
- She unfriended me following our disagreement about the match.
American English
- I'm going to unfriend anyone who posts spoilers.
- He unfriended his cousin after their argument.
adjective
British English
- The unfriend button is sometimes too tempting.
- An unfriend request isn't a formal thing.
American English
- I got an unfriend notification from the app.
- The unfriend action is permanent on most platforms.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My sister unfriended me on Facebook!
- How do I unfriend someone?
- After the election, many people unfriended those with opposite views.
- I felt sad when I saw she had unfriended me.
- The decision to unfriend a close relative over a political post was difficult.
- Some apps allow you to silently unfriend without notification.
- The act of unfriending can be a powerful symbolic gesture in the digital age.
- Researchers are studying the psychological impact of being unfriended.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'UN-doing a FRIEND connection' = UNFRIEND.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIGITAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE OBJECTS (that can be added/removed).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation like 'расдружить'. The direct equivalent is 'удалить из друзей'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'unfriend' for real-life, non-digital relationship endings sounds humorous or metaphorical.
- Confusing 'unfriend' (remove from friends list) with 'unfollow' (stop seeing updates).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the verb 'to unfriend'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2009 and is widely accepted in modern English, though it remains informal.
'Unfriend' means removing someone from your friends/list, but they may still see public content. 'Block' is more severe, preventing them from seeing your profile or contacting you.
Only metaphorically or humorously. For example, 'After he betrayed my trust, I mentally unfriended him.' In serious contexts, use 'end the friendship' or 'cut ties'.
Yes, 'defriend' is a less common variant with the same meaning. 'Unfriend' is the more standard and widely used term.