noun
Common
mates
mayts
Mates (noun) means plural of mate: friends, companions, or partners. Example: “I'm meeting my mates at the café after football practice.”
noun
1
Plural of mate: friends, companions, or partners.
"I'm meeting my mates at the café after football practice."
"He went down to the pub with a few mates from work."
"The two dolphins had been mates for years."
How to use mates
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMore than one friend, companion, or paired partner.
When to use it
Very common as an informal term for friends in British and Australian English.
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I'm meeting my _____ at the café after football practice.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for mates
See all rhymes for mates →Frequently asked questions
What does “mates” mean?
The word “mates” means plural of mate: friends, companions, or partners. In plain terms, more than one friend, companion, or paired partner.
How do you pronounce “mates”?
“Mates” is pronounced mayts (/meɪts/ in IPA).
How do you use “mates” in a sentence?
Here is “mates” used in a sentence: “He went down to the pub with a few mates from work.”
What part of speech is “mates”?
“Mates” is a noun.
Is “mates” a common word?
“Mates” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "mates" and "friends"?
"Mates" is an informal word for friends, especially common in British and Australian English. "Friends" is the neutral, standard term used in every variety of English and in formal writing.
Is "mates" more common in British or American English?
Meaning friends, "mates" is far more common in British and Australian English. American speakers usually say "friends" or "buddies" instead.
What is the difference between "mate" for a friend and "mate" for a partner?
"Mate" can mean a friend or companion, but it can also mean a partner, such as a spouse or, for animals, a breeding partner. "Mates" is simply the plural of either sense, so context makes the meaning clear.
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