What does this slang term mean?

Find definitions, authentic UK slang origins, meanings, and contextual sentence examples on Streetionary.

Frenemy Meaning - Streetionary

Frenemy (noun / US Slang)

(Also heard as: Frenemies, Fake friend, Friend-enemy)

Definition:

A frenemy is someone who acts like a friend but is secretly a rival or enemy, or a person you are friends with but also compete with.

Where Frenemy Comes From:

It is a blend of “friend” and “enemy”. The word appeared in American newspapers in the 1950s, and became popular in the 1990s and 2000s through TV, celebrity gossip and teen films.

How People Actually Use Frenemy:

Used for people who are friendly on the surface but undermine you, or for complicated friendships: “she’s more of a frenemy”. It can be a joke or a warning.

Is Frenemy Rude?

Not rude as a word, but calling someone your frenemy is a mild insult to them.

Examples in the Wild:

“She smiles to my face but trashes me online, total frenemy.”Meaning: She is only pretending to be my friend.
“We’re frenemies, we always compete at everything.”Meaning: We are friends but also rivals.
“Watch out for your frenemies at work.”Meaning: Be careful of colleagues who seem friendly but are not.