noun
Uncommon
inmate
IHN-mayt
Inmate (noun) means a person held in a prison. Example: “The inmate was released after serving eight years.”
noun
1
A person held in a prison.
"The inmate was released after serving eight years."
2
A patient confined to a hospital or institution.
"The asylum's inmates received little proper medical care in that era."
How to use inmate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone confined to an institution, most commonly a prisoner.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
prison inmate
former inmate
fellow inmate
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like inmate.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- inmates
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ was released after serving eight years.
Etymology
From inn plus -mate, or possibly in- plus -mate — originally meaning simply someone who lodges together with others.
Related words
Rhymes for inmate
See all rhymes for inmate →Frequently asked questions
What does “inmate” mean?
The word “inmate” means a person held in a prison. In plain terms, someone confined to an institution, most commonly a prisoner.
How do you pronounce “inmate”?
“Inmate” is pronounced IHN-mayt (/ˈɪn.meɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “inmate” in a sentence?
Here is “inmate” used in a sentence: “The inmate was released after serving eight years.”
What part of speech is “inmate”?
“Inmate” is a noun.
Is “inmate” a common word?
“Inmate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “inmate” have?
“Inmate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person held in a prison.
What is the difference between "inmate" and "prisoner"?
"Inmate" refers to a person held in a prison but can also describe a patient confined to a hospital or institution, giving it a broader institutional sense. "Prisoner" refers specifically to someone confined for legal or criminal reasons and does not extend to hospital patients.
Can "inmate" refer to someone in a hospital rather than a prison?
Yes, "inmate" can describe a patient confined to a hospital or other institution, not just someone in a prison. This older, broader sense is less common today than the prison-specific meaning but is still valid.
Is "inmate" considered a neutral or negative term?
"Inmate" is generally treated as a neutral, factual term in legal and institutional contexts, though some prefer alternatives like "incarcerated person" to emphasize the person over their status. Context and audience often determine which term is considered more appropriate.
