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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

playmate

PLAY-mayt

Playmate (noun) means a friend, especially a child's, who joins in play. Example: “The twins have been playmates since nursery.”

noun
1
A friend, especially a child's, who joins in play.
"The twins have been playmates since nursery."
2
Informal: a romantic or sexual partner.
"He referred to his new girlfriend as his playmate."

How to use playmate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone you play with — usually a child's friend, though it can be used more suggestively for adults.

Word forms

playmates plural, Playmates plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The twins have been _____ since nursery.

Etymology

From play + mate; an older equivalent was playfeer.

Related words

Rhymes for playmate

See all rhymes for playmate →

Frequently asked questions

What does “playmate” mean?

The word “playmate” means a friend, especially a child's, who joins in play. In plain terms, someone you play with — usually a child's friend, though it can be used more suggestively for adults.

How do you pronounce “playmate”?

“Playmate” is pronounced PLAY-mayt (/ˈpleɪˌmeɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “playmate” in a sentence?

Here is “playmate” used in a sentence: “The twins have been playmates since nursery.”

What part of speech is “playmate”?

“Playmate” is a noun.

How many meanings does “playmate” have?

“Playmate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a friend, especially a child's, who joins in play.

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