adj
matey
Matey (adj) means Friendly and informal, sometimes in a way that feels overly familiar. Example: “He gave the new intern a matey pat on the back as if they were old friends.”
adj
1
Friendly and informal, sometimes in a way that feels overly familiar.
"He gave the new intern a matey pat on the back as if they were old friends."
How to use matey
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishChummy, over-friendly, sociable — often used slightly sarcastically about someone acting too familiar too soon.
When to use it
Informal, mainly British.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- matier
- Superlative
- matiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gave the new intern a _____ pat on the back as if they were old friends.
Etymology
Formed from mate and -y.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for matey
See all rhymes for matey →Frequently asked questions
What does “matey” mean?
The word “matey” means friendly and informal, sometimes in a way that feels overly familiar. In plain terms, chummy, over-friendly, sociable — often used slightly sarcastically about someone acting too familiar too soon.
How do you use “matey” in a sentence?
Here is “matey” used in a sentence: “He gave the new intern a matey pat on the back as if they were old friends.”
What part of speech is “matey”?
“Matey” is an adjective.
What is the meaning of matey?
"matey" (adj) means friendly and informal, sometimes in a way that feels overly familiar.
