Bud

PAL

Think of a casual term for a close friend, often used when addressing someone in a friendly conversation.

"Bud" is a casual term for a friend, just like "pal." The clue plays on the informal meaning of "bud," which isn’t about a flower or an unopened leaf but slang for a close companion. It’s a straightforward definition where the answer is simply another word for the same idea. Think of phrases like "hey, bud" or "my best pal"—they mean the same thing.