Meaning & use
network of friends
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A group of friends who know and connect with each other, often through shared activities or online.
Grammar: Takes 'a' and can be plural: a network of friends; networks of friends.
Patterns
- a network of friends
- build a network of friends
- have a wide network of friends
She moved to a new city and slowly built a network of friends.
His network of friends helped him find a job.
Online games can create a network of friends around the world.
nouncountablecomputing
The friends connected to one person on a social media site.
Grammar: Often used with 'online' or the name of a site: her online network of friends.
Patterns
- online network of friends
- grow your network of friends
- a network of friends on social media
He has a large network of friends on social media.
She deleted her account and lost her online network of friends.
Your network of friends can see the photos you post.
Word forms
| plural | networks of friends |
|---|
Common combinations
- build a network of friends
- It takes time to build a network of friends in a new school.
- a wide network of friends
- She has a wide network of friends in many countries.
- an online network of friends
- His online network of friends grew quickly after he posted the video.
- a close network of friends
- They are a close network of friends who meet every weekend.
Synonyms and how they differ
- circle of friends
- A circle of friends is a small, close group; a network of friends can be larger and more loosely connected.
- social network
- Social network is broader and can include family, coworkers, and acquaintances, not just friends.
- friend group
- Friend group is informal and means a small, tight group; a network of friends suggests many connections.
Word family
- network noun
- A system of connected people or things.
- networking noun
- The activity of meeting people to make useful contacts.
- friend noun
- A person you know well and like.
Commonly confused: network of friends or social network?
network of friends vs social network
A social network includes all kinds of connections, while a network of friends specifically means friends.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'network of friends' most naturally?
Choose one answer.
'Network of friends' is a noun phrase, so it fits after 'has a large'. The other options incorrectly use it as a verb or with the wrong structure.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “network of friends”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.