frenemy

== English == === Etymology === Blend of friend +‎ enemy. Invented independently multiple times. Attested in 1952 without any scare quotes or self-referential apology, clearly suggesting that the writer expected his audience to be unsurprised by encountering the word, but used by other writers in 1979 and 1992 in ways that indicate that those writers considered it a nonce blend and expected that their audiences would view it that way too; these examples are evidence that the word existed for many decades during which it was not yet widely familiar or established (which it now is). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈfɹɛ.nɪ.mi/ === Noun === frenemy (plural frenemies) (sometimes humorous) Someone who has traits of an enemy and a friend. Alternative form: frienemy Coordinate terms: betrayer, double-crosser, backstabber, traitor A fair-weather friend who is also a rival. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === See also === backfriend love-hate on-again, off-again === Further reading === frenemy on Wikipedia.Wikipedia