What it means
A frenemy is someone who acts like your friend to your face but is quietly rooting against you, the pal whose compliments come with a little sting and who's first to share the gossip when you slip up. You hang out, you laugh together, but there's always a current of rivalry underneath. Half friend, half enemy, fully exhausting.
Usage examples
"She's more of a frenemy, all smiles at brunch then trashing me to everyone after."
"Keep your friends close and your frenemies where you can see them."
"We still go for drinks, but she's proper frenemy territory, hyping me up in public then moving shady after."
"He's not your mate, he's your frenemy. Man's cheering for you with crossed fingers behind his back."
Where it comes from
A straight blend of friend and enemy. It turns up in print by the mid 20th century, with earlier playful uses floating around before that, then really stuck once pop culture grabbed it. The whole point is baked into the mashup: someone who moves friendly on the surface but carries rival energy underneath.
