Definition
A person you know well and like; a friend. The feminine form is *amiga*.
Example
Mi mejor amigo me ayuda cuando estoy triste.
Show translation
My best friend helps me when I am sad.
Etymology
From Latin *amīcus* ("friend"), derived from *amāre* ("to love"). The same root gives English *amiable* and French *ami*. The intervocalic /k/ softened to /ɡ/ through Vulgar Latin voiced-stop shift, following a regular pattern across Ibero-Romance.
Cultural note
In Spanish-speaking cultures, *amigo* is also commonly used as a warm address to acquaintances or even strangers, similar to "buddy" or "mate" in English. Note that in English, *amigo* is borrowed as a casual term too — but in Spanish it carries genuine warmth without sounding slang. Feminine: *amiga*; plural: *amigos* (mixed or all-male group) / *amigas* (all-female group).