noun

mate

mayt

noun

A friend or companion, especially of the same sex.

"He went to the match with a few mates from work."

A friendly, informal way to address someone, especially in British English.

""Cheers, mate," he said, holding the door open."

A breeding partner of an animal.

"The male penguin searched the colony for a mate."

A ship's officer ranking below the captain.

"The first mate took the wheel during the storm."

verb

To pair with another (animal) for breeding.

"Swans typically mate for life."

How to Use Mate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA friend, a breeding partner, a ship's officer, or (as a verb) to pair up to breed.

When to use it

"Mate" as a friendly address is especially common in British, Irish, and Australian English; it sounds unusual in American English.

Common pairings

old mate find a mate first mate

Word Forms

mated past tense, mated past tense, mates plural, mates singular, mates singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

He went to the match with a few _____ from work.

Etymology

From Middle English mate, borrowed from Middle Low German mate ("messmate"), ultimately tied to Old English words for sharing food together — a doublet of the word behind "meat."

Rhymes for mate

ate date rate fate gate hate pate late Nate Kate cate tate

See all rhymes for mate →