buddy

A friend or casual acquaintance.

They have been buddies since they were in school.

He told us we ought to think of Jesus as our buddy and all. He said he talked to Jesus all the time. Even when he was driving his car. That killed me.

A partner for a particular activity.

drinking buddies

training buddies [mentor/mentee]

An informal and friendly address to a stranger, usually male; a friendly (or occasionally antagonistic) placeholder name for a person one does not know.

Hey, buddy, I think you dropped this.

A person far removed from the conversation.

I found some earphones in the pocket, buddy must have been pissed.

Buddy's loaded. 'Got like three houses.

To assign a buddy, or partner, to.

If you are being formally buddied, have a good chat with your buddy and find out their interests -- these should more or less match your own.