Close friend (3)

<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">close friend</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this before)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for pal that I've seen before include "Crony" , "Close friend" , "Buddy, chum" , "China" , "Brother" .)
(Other definitions for bro that I've seen before include "who may have a 28 [SIS]?" , "Sis's sibling?" , "US form of address" , "somewhere one feels close to" , "American greeting" .)
(Other definitions for mate that I've seen before include "Perhaps the wife" , "Finish game" , "Spouse or informal friend" , "Officer below master on a commercial ship" , "Companion, wife" .)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">close friend</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this before)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for chum that I've seen before include "Salmon" , "Good friend" , "Close friend (colloq.)" , "Pal, mate" , "Informally, a close friend" .)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">close friend</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this before)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for crony that I've seen before include "Close companion" , "Intimate companion" , "mate" , "China" , "Corny (anag.)" .)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">close friend</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(intimate can be a noun: a close friend)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for intimate that I've seen before include "Tip off" , "state" , "Friendly" , "Personal - hint - friend" , "Sharing a close and affectionate friendship" .)