buds

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "buds" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to friends or close acquaintances, as in the sentence: He and his buds have been hanging out together since high school.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The growth that lies behind, the young laterals, should then be shortened to five to six buds.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I often wonder whether the unfathomably superior tastes I attribute to home-grown veg come from my heart rather than my taste buds, but Hicks assures me that it'll be because the food is picked at peak ripeness and eaten immediately.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The Bundesliga is like everyday pizza or Hamburger," Pep Guardiola opined, and it was hard to argue with the Catalan's taste buds.

The Guardian - Sport

The richness of the bitter dark chocolate is offset by the sea salt, which does a lovely thing to the taste buds.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The flower buds, like milky pearls held in the green clasp of its pointed green sepals, held aloft on a four-inch stalk, were still closed.

The Guardian

Tie them as close to horizontal as possible to encourage maximum bloom by slowing down sap, which results in more flower buds.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Most people would describe this as closer to an ale than a lager, but if you want to stretch your taste buds a little, crack on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Dinner in the creaky, friendly dining room is a feast for eyes, taste buds and mind: the sisters are fascinating.

The Guardian - Travel

Next is a shot of "electric vodka" made with Szechuan buttons (the buds of the Szechuan flower), a rare ingredient Rachel is developing into a cocktail bitters in collaboration with the Nightjar bar in Shoreditch, London.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In fact, the filling is mostly made of tiger-lily buds and preserved cabbage, and it illustrates just how different the same dish can be when prepared for Chinese rather than Western palates.The first main course to arrive is beef sautéed with scallions and ginger.

The Economist

Perhaps not entirely coincidentally, Grange has received rave notices from Robert Parker, the world's most influential wine critic, who is based in America.In this section Dutch capped Scaling heights Smokescreens Sometimes a snowball is art Taste buds Down Under In search of icons ReprintsBut while lauding Grange, Mr Parker has often been cruelly dismissive of many of Australia's other efforts.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "buds" as slang for friends, be mindful of your audience as it is considered an informal term.

Common error

Avoid using "buds" interchangeably between its botanical and slang meanings without providing clear context, as this can lead to confusion. For example, don't say "The company's new buds are eager to innovate" if you are literally referring to plant biology.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "buds" is as a plural noun. It refers to either undeveloped shoots of a plant or, informally, to a group of friends. As Ludwig examples shows, "buds" can modify other nouns, as in "flower buds".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "buds" is a versatile plural noun with two primary meanings: undeveloped plant shoots and informal term for friends. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, highlighting its frequent appearance in News & Media and Encyclopedias. When writing, it's important to consider the context to avoid ambiguity between its botanical and slang applications. While commonly used and understood, "buds" as slang is best reserved for informal settings. The term is appropriate in academic, scientific, and informal contexts, with usage patterns showing a higher frequency in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flower buds

Explicitly refers to the nascent stage of a flower before it blooms.

sprouts

Refers specifically to new growth on a plant, emphasizing the early stage of development.

new shoots

Focuses on the emergence of fresh plant growth.

blossoms

Highlights the flowering stage of plant development, focusing on beauty and potential.

taste receptors

Specifically denotes the sensory cells responsible for taste perception.

palates

Refers to the sense of taste, broadening the concept from individual taste receptors.

close friends

Emphasizes the intimate nature of a friendship group.

companions

Suggests a shared experience or journey between individuals.

cohort

Implies a group of people sharing a common characteristic or experience.

associates

Indicates a more formal or professional relationship among people.

FAQs

How can I use "buds" in a sentence?

"Buds" can refer to the undeveloped flowers or leaves on a plant, as in "The flower buds are just starting to open", or informally to friends, as in "He's been hanging out with his buds all weekend".

What's a more formal alternative to using "buds" to refer to friends?

More formal alternatives to "buds" include "friends", "companions", or "associates", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "buds" in writing?

The term "buds" is appropriate in writing when discussing botany or plant life cycles or in informal contexts when referring to friends. Avoid using it in formal or professional settings.

What's the difference between "buds" and "sprouts"?

"Buds" refer to undeveloped flowers, leaves, or shoots, while "sprouts" specifically denote the initial growth emerging from a seed.