friend
(n) : a person other than a family member, spouse or lover whose company one enjoys and towards whom one feels affection; a boyfriend or girlfriend
"the Automobile Association is every motorist’s friend."
(v) : to act as the friend of
synonyms: bud, buddy, chum more», mate, pal, crony, boyfriend, girlfriend, lover, acquaintance, ally, admirer, booster, champion, protagonist, supporter, buster, befriend