Mean attempt to follow friend (6)
I believe the answer is:
paltry
'mean' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'attempt to follow friend' is the wordplay.
'attempt' becomes 'try' (synonyms).
'to follow' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'friend' becomes 'pal' (pal is a kind of friend).
'try' after 'pal' is 'PALTRY'.
(Other definitions for paltry that I've seen before include "Mean, petty" , "Trival, Inconsequential" , "Feeble" , "Insignificant, trifling" , "Derisory" .)