fellow
FEH-loh
Fellow (noun) means a man or boy; a guy. Example: “He's a friendly fellow who always helps his neighbours with their shopping.”
noun
1
A man or boy; a guy.
"He's a friendly fellow who always helps his neighbours with their shopping."
"A tall fellow in a green coat asked me for directions."
"Who's that fellow standing by the door?"
2
A person who belongs to the same group as you, or an equal or companion.
"He thanked his fellow volunteers for staying late to clean up the hall."
"Every student should show respect to a fellow member of the class."
"She and her fellow travelers shared a taxi from the airport."
3
A member of a learned society, or someone holding an academic research position with a stipend attached.
"She works as a research fellow in the university's physics department."
"The college elected him a fellow after years of careful research."
"He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society for his work on genetics."
adj
1
Belonging to the same group; sharing a status with someone.
"I chatted with a fellow guest at the hotel breakfast."
"The teacher asked the pupils to respect their fellow students."
"She thanked her fellow contestants for a good-natured competition."
How to use fellow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone in your group or category — a companion, an equal, or (formally) a title held by academics and society members.
Common pairings
fellow citizens
fellow students
a research fellow
a jolly good fellow
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- fellows
- Past tense
- fellowed
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He's a friendly _____ who always helps his neighbours with their shopping.
Etymology
From Middle English felowe, ultimately from Old Norse félagi, literally "one who lays down money together (with others)" — the same root that gives us "fee" and "lay."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for fellow
See all rhymes for fellow →Frequently asked questions
What does “fellow” mean?
The word “fellow” means a man or boy; a guy. In plain terms, someone in your group or category — a companion, an equal, or (formally) a title held by academics and society members.
How do you pronounce “fellow”?
“Fellow” is pronounced FEH-loh (/ˈfɛloʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fellow” in a sentence?
Here is “fellow” used in a sentence: “Who's that fellow standing by the door?”
What part of speech is “fellow”?
Depending on how it is used, “fellow” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “fellow” come from?
The word “fellow” comes from Middle English. From Middle English felowe, ultimately from Old Norse félagi, literally "one who lays down money together (with others)" — the same root that gives us "fee" and "lay.".
Is “fellow” a common word?
“Fellow” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “fellow” have?
“Fellow” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a man or boy; a guy.
What does 'fellow' mean when it refers to a man?
Used this way, fellow is an informal, slightly old-fashioned word for a man or boy — much like guy, chap, or bloke. You might hear 'a friendly old fellow' or 'he's a decent fellow'. It is warm and casual, and today can sound a touch quaint or genteel.
What is the difference between 'fellow' and 'guy'?
Both mean a man, but they differ in tone. Guy is current, casual, and used constantly in modern speech. Fellow sounds older, gentler, and more genteel, and appears less often today. Where an American might say guy and a Briton bloke or chap, fellow feels like the polite, slightly dated cousin.
Does 'fellow' have other meanings?
Yes. Besides meaning a man, fellow can be a member of a learned society or the holder of a university fellowship — 'a Fellow of the Royal Society'. As a modifier it means sharing a situation, as in fellow passengers or fellow students. It can also mean a companion or associate.
Is 'fellow' formal or informal?
In the sense of a man, fellow is informal and a little dated, more likely from an older speaker or a storybook than from casual chat today. In its academic sense — a fellow of a college or society — it is quite formal, a respected title. Context decides the register.
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