The term BEST BUD is a slang term for a close friend. The crossword solutions for this term are AMIGO (5 letters), PAL (3 letters), BERNICE (7 letters), ERNIE (5 letters), LOU (3 letters), and MAINMAN (7 letters). Each of these words can be used to refer to someone's best friend, with AMIGO being Spanish for friend, PAL being a shortened version of the word companion, BERNICE being a female name, ERNIE being a male name, LOU being a nickname for Louis, and MAINMAN being a term for a person's closest confidant.