close-knit friends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close-knit friends" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group of friends who are very close and supportive of each other. Example: "Despite the distance, we remain close-knit friends who share everything with one another."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They were a group of close-knit friends, many of whom had known each other since school.

The Guardian

The movie's band of close-knit friends vacations in Cap Ferret, France, which is on the Atlantic coast — not Cap Ferrat, which is on the Riviera.

The New York Times

A French answer to "The Big Chill," it's about a band of close-knit friends on vacation in Cap Ferret, France, and what happens when one of the group lands in intensive care just before the sacred French summer holidays.

The New York Times

But under no circumstances do you tell anyone at school about it, apart from really close-knit friends.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Agathon, Gregory and Peter, close-knit Christian friends from Julian's youth, pursue him with impassioned urgency, ending up as his persecuted nemeses.

Independent

Oh and the close-knit, best friends, she-loves-me-more-than-daddy relationship I was hoping for, that didn't happen either.

Huffington Post

Yanagihara's epic story of love and friendship tracing the lives of four close-knit college friends through the tumult of post-college years to the supposed stability of full-blown adulthood is worth the commitment.

Huffington Post

She had a close-knit group of friends, including Marissa Neto, one of 11 friends with whom she formed a Facebook group, and they kept in touch.

The New York Times

She was inseparable from her sister and had a close-knit group of friends.

The Guardian

At 16, Ramish is now a popular member of the school with a close-knit group of friends.

The Guardian

The Secret Place is about a close-knit group of friends, as was your second book, The Likeness.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing relationships, use "close-knit friends" to convey a strong sense of loyalty and mutual support within the group. This is particularly effective in narratives or character descriptions.

Common error

While "close-knit friends" suggests a strong bond, avoid overusing the phrase to describe superficial relationships. Reserve it for friendships with genuine depth and history.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close-knit friends" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying the noun "friends". It describes the quality of the friendship, emphasizing its strong bonds and interconnectedness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close-knit friends" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase to describe a group of friends with strong, interconnected bonds. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for general use and effectively conveys a sense of loyalty and mutual support. While alternatives like "tight-knit friends" or "intimate friends" exist, "close-knit friends" remains a clear and effective choice, primarily found in news and media contexts. Remember to reserve this phrase for friendships with genuine depth to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tight-knit friends

Replaces "close" with "tight", conveying a similar sense of strong connection.

intimate friends

Focuses on the deep emotional connection and sharing among friends.

devoted friends

Highlights the loyalty and dedication within the friendship.

cherished friends

Emphasizes the value and importance of the friends in one's life.

inseparable friends

Stresses the constant presence and bond between friends.

close companions

Uses a different noun to describe the friends, implying a shared journey.

thick as thieves

An idiomatic expression indicating a very close and secretive friendship.

bosom buddies

An informal term for very close friends, often used in a lighthearted way.

inner circle of friends

Highlights the exclusivity and importance of the friendship group.

family-like friends

Friends that you consider family.

FAQs

How can I use "close-knit friends" in a sentence?

You might say, "They were a group of "close-knit friends", many of whom had known each other since school" or "She has a very "close-knit circle of friends" and she didn't want to choose one over another".

What is a good alternative to "close-knit friends"?

Alternatives include "tight-knit friends", "intimate friends", or "devoted friends" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "close-knit friends" or "close friends"?

"Close friends" indicates a general level of friendship. "Close-knit friends" suggests a stronger, more interconnected bond within a group. The better choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What does it mean to have "close-knit friends"?

Having "close-knit friends" means being part of a group of friends who are deeply connected, supportive, and often share a long history or strong common interests. It implies a bond that is stronger than typical friendships.