unfriend

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English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology 1[edit]

From Middle English unfreend, onfrend, equivalent to un- (noun/adjective prefix) +‎ friend. Cognate with Scots unfrend (“unfriend”). Compare Old English unfriþmann, unwine.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • Rhymes: -ɛnd
  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˈʌnfɹɛnd/
  • Audio (Southern England)(file)

Noun[edit]

unfriend (plural unfriends)

  1. One who is not a friend; an enemy.
    Synonyms: nonfriend, non-friend
    Hyponym: backfriend
    • 1822 May 29, [Walter Scott], chapter IV, in The Fortunes of Nigel. […], volume II, Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., →OCLC, pages 88–89:
      It is even as I suspected, my lord, […] Ye have back-friends, my lord, that is, unfriends—or, to be plain, enemies—about the person of the Prince.
    • 1856, Elizabeth Gaskell, The Poor Clare:
      I wonder often it has not drawn her out of the grave to come and stand before me, and hear me tell her how I loved her. For, sir, we parted unfriends.
    • 1916, William Edwin Chilton, John Downey Works, Fiscal relation between the United States and the District of Columbia:
      Thus many unfriends and some friends of the Capital agree upon the same policy with diverse and contradictory motives […]
    • 1999, Kees Waaijman, John Vriend, The mystical space of Carmel:
      The unfriend betrays me, ignores me, denies me, breaks me down; the unfriend is against and tries to devour my personhood.
Related terms[edit]

Etymology 2[edit]

From un- (verb prefix) +‎ friend. Compare Dutch ontvrienden (“to unfriend”), German entfreunden (“to unfriend”).

Pronunciation[edit]

Verb[edit]

unfriend (third-person singular simple present unfriends, present participle unfriending, simple past and past participle unfriended)

  1. (rare) To sever as friends.
    • 1659, Thomas Fuller, The Appeal of Injured Innocence:
      "I hope, sir, that we are not mutually Unfriended by this Difference which hath happened betwixt us."
  2. (social media) To defriend; to remove from one's friends list (e.g. on a social networking website).
    • 2007, Mia Consalvo, Caroline Haythornthwaite, Internet Research Annual: Volume 4:
      "I asked her why, she said it was because I didn't comment, and I shrugged and said whatever. I didn't unfriend her."
    • 2013, Nils Smith, Social Media Guide for Ministry: What It Is and How to Use It:
      Without unfriending someone, you can now choose to limit or block (unsubscribe) someone from your newsfeed or choose to see only what Facebook deems as very important.
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