Fringe friends are people who are not in your inner circle of friends but are not complete strangers either. They are people you know and get along with on a surface level, but you may not be interested enough to make any effort to get to know them better. Fringe friends are also known as "light, casual friendships with relatively low expectations". They are often friends-of-friends whom you would typically see in the context of larger gatherings or events.

Having fringe friends can be beneficial as they can provide a different perspective and introduce you to new experiences and opportunities. They can also be a vital part of a well-rounded social life. However, it is important to note that fringe friends are not the same as close friends or best friends, and they may not be there for you in the same way that close friends would be.