Etymology First appears c. 1788, in the writings of Charles Dibdin, of uncertain origin. Possibly from *bruddy, *bruthy, a child-talk alteration of brother. Alternatively, perhaps from British colloquial butty (“companion”), also the form of an older dialect term meaning workmate, associated with coal mining. Itself believed derived from 1530 as booty fellow, a partner with whom one shares booty or loot. Alternatively, compare Scots buddo, bodda (“buddy, kiddo, dear”), related to Icelandic budda (“purse"; also "short, stout person”).
1
A friend or casual acquaintance.
They have been buddies since they were in school.
He told us we ought to think of Jesus as our buddy and all. He said he talked to Jesus all the time. Even when he was driving his car. That killed me.1951 July 16, J[erome] D[avid] Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Boston, Mass.: Little, Brown and Company, →OCLC, page 23:
2
A partner for a particular activity.
drinking buddies
training buddies [mentor/mentee]
3
An informal and friendly address to a stranger, usually male; a friendly (or occasionally antagonistic) placeholder name for a person one does not know.
Hey, buddy, I think you dropped this.
buddy
pron
Etymology First appears c. 1788, in the writings of Charles Dibdin, of uncertain origin. Possibly from *bruddy, *bruthy, a child-talk alteration of brother. Alternatively, perhaps from British colloquial butty (“companion”), also the form of an older dialect term meaning workmate, associated with coal mining. Itself believed derived from 1530 as booty fellow, a partner with whom one shares booty or loot. Alternatively, compare Scots buddo, bodda (“buddy, kiddo, dear”), related to Icelandic budda (“purse"; also "short, stout person”).
1
A person far removed from the conversation.
Maritime English
I found some earphones in the pocket, buddy must have been pissed.
Etymology First appears c. 1788, in the writings of Charles Dibdin, of uncertain origin. Possibly from *bruddy, *bruthy, a child-talk alteration of brother. Alternatively, perhaps from British colloquial butty (“companion”), also the form of an older dialect term meaning workmate, associated with coal mining. Itself believed derived from 1530 as booty fellow, a partner with whom one shares booty or loot. Alternatively, compare Scots buddo, bodda (“buddy, kiddo, dear”), related to Icelandic budda (“purse"; also "short, stout person”).
1
To assign a buddy, or partner, to.
If you are being formally buddied, have a good chat with your buddy and find out their interests -- these should more or less match your own.2007, Philip Briggs, Danny Edmunds, Mozambique: The Bradt Travel Guide, →ISBN, page 86:
Derived terms
buddy-up
buddy
adj
Etymology From Middle English buddy, buddi, equivalent to bud + -y.
1
Resembling a bud.
Some of the dwarfer varieties are full of buddy growths in the early stages and these must be cut down and thrown away.1963, John Herbert Goddard, Chrysanthemum Growers' Treasury, page 18: