friend with benefits

noun phrase

: a friend with whom one has casual sexual relations without commitments

Examples of friend with benefits in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Basically, Reynolds and Jackman are friends with benefits, but the benefit is that their hangouts might make their movie more money. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 July 2024 Sneaky link to me is much deeper than just a hook up or friends with benefits, because there wouldn’t be any substance. Peter White, Deadline, 17 July 2024 Much of the pair’s relationship — from friends to best friends to friends with benefits to friends again to boyfriend/girlfriend to then engaged — has played out on the Bravo show, which shows the shenanigans and drama of young, professional East Coasters sharing a house for the summer. Melissah Yang, refinery29.com, 22 Feb. 2024 The Australian singer Dannii Minogue — younger sister of gay diva Kylie — plays host at a swank mansion where 10 single young men meet, mingle and make out in hopes of finding a partner, or at least a lover (or if that doesn’t last, maybe a hot friend with benefits?). Erik Piepenburg, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2024 However, the idea of friends with benefits can get a bad rap sometimes, as there’s an assumption that this relationship dynamic is only for people who aren’t serious about commitment and are emotionally unavailable. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 9 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1997, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of friend with benefits was in 1997

Dictionary Entries Near friend with benefits

Cite this Entry

“Friend with benefits.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/friend%20with%20benefits. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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