| CRONY | Close friend or companion (5) |
| COMPADRE | A close friend or companion (Sp) (8) |
| CHINA | Outstanding feature by a friend or companion |
| CHESS | What ends with mate or companion getting letter? (5) |
| FAMILIAR | From "household servant", a word for a close friend or other constant companion; or, a witch's attendant spirit, often in animal/demon form (8) |
| GOSSIP | From the Old English meaning "godparent", a word for a close friend or one invited to attend a birth that later came to mean chitchat, idle talk or tittle-tattle (6) |
| SPAR | A cleavable crystal such as calcite; a boxer's practice fight; an informal word for a close friend; or, a boom, mast, yard or other nautical pole (4) |
| CHUM | A close friend or pal (4) |
| SIDEKICK | Close friend or assistant (8) |
| BESTIE | Super-close friend ... or stranger who tweeted something relatable |
| GROWNAPART | Cut ties gradually, as with a close friend or a family member |
| BOSOM | Of a friend or buddy, close and intimate (5) |
| AMIGO | Go after one European friend or another (5) |
| LOYAL | Like a true friend or die-hard fan (5) |
| OPPOS | Informal term for colleagues or friends, or counterparts in another organisation (5) |
| MEDIA | Can be a musician's friend or enemy |
| PHILO | Greek-derived pastry-like prefix denoting friend or loving |
| FELLOW | Word, from "one who lays down money in a joint undertaking", for an associate, comrade, confrere, partner or peer; one of a pair, aka a mate or companion; or, any man or boy (6) |
| TRINA | CAMERON LIKES HER AS A FRIEND ... OR DOES HE? (GH) |
| PHONE | You use this to call your friends, or send text messages if you have a mobile one (5) |
