friend vs associate

friend and associate both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
friend	Yes	No	No	No
associate	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

As nouns, associate is a hyponym of friend; that is, associate is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than friend:

As nouns, associate is a hypernym of friend; that is, associate is a word with a broader meaning than friend:

friend (noun)	associate (noun)
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust	a degree granted by a two-year college on successful completion of the undergraduates course of studies
a person with whom you are acquainted	any event that usually accompanies or is closely connected with another
an associate who provides cooperation or assistance	a person who joins with others in some activity or endeavor
a person who backs a politician or a team etc.	a friend who is frequently in the company of another
	a person with subordinate membership in a society, institution, or commercial enterprise

friend (adjective)	associate (adjective)
	having partial rights and privileges or subordinate status

friend (verb)	associate (verb)
	make a logical or causal connection
	bring or come into association or action
	keep company with; hang out with