Mate
/meɪt/
Definitions
6 meaningsA friend or companion.
/meɪt/
A companion or friend.
They've been best mates since they were kids.
💡 Simply: Think of your best friend! A mate is someone you like to hang out with and do things together.
👶 For kids: A friend.
More Examples
I went to the movies with my mate.
She's my mate; we always support each other.
How It's Used
"He's a good mate, always there to help."
A partner in a romantic relationship; spouse or significant other.
/meɪt/
A partner in a romantic relationship.
He found a mate to spend his life with.
💡 Simply: If you're dating someone, you might call them your mate. It's like your boyfriend or girlfriend.
👶 For kids: Your boyfriend or girlfriend.
More Examples
They are looking for a mate.
She is still searching for her perfect mate.
How It's Used
"She's looking for a mate to start a family with."
One of a pair; a matching item.
/meɪt/
He finally found the mate to the lost sock.
💡 Simply: If you have one sock and you're looking for the other, the other sock is its mate!
👶 For kids: The other one in a pair.
More Examples
She searched for the mate of her lost glove.
The earring was missing its mate.
How It's Used
"She couldn't find the mate to her earring."
To pair or couple, especially for reproduction.
/meɪt/
To pair or couple.
The lion and lioness mate in the wild.
💡 Simply: Animals like birds and dogs mate to have babies.
👶 For kids: When animals get together to have babies.
More Examples
The birds mate during springtime.
The farmer carefully managed the cattle so they could mate.
How It's Used
"The birds mate in the spring."
To join together or associate (one person with another) for a particular purpose.
/meɪt/
They decided to mate with other companies.
💡 Simply: This mate means to connect or work together.
👶 For kids: To connect with others for a task.
More Examples
She mated with the other students to finish the project.
The two teams decided to mate and create a new project.
How It's Used
"She quickly mated with her friend."
To checkmate in chess; to put the opponent's king under attack from which it cannot escape.
/meɪt/
To checkmate in chess
After a series of strategic moves, he mated his opponent's king.
💡 Simply: When you play chess, 'mate' means you've trapped your opponent's king so it can't move and you win!
👶 For kids: When you trap the king in chess so it can't move.
More Examples
She was determined to mate her opponent in the chess match.
He planned his moves carefully, hoping to mate his opponent.
How It's Used
"He mated his opponent, ending the game."
Synonyms
Buddy
Companion
Friend
Match
Breed
Couple
Ally
Associate
Join
Idioms & expressions
shipmate
A member of the crew of a ship.
"He met a friendly shipmate on his voyage across the ocean."
tea mate
Someone you have tea with
"She invited her tea mate over for a cup of Earl Grey."
From Middle Dutch *mate* or Middle Low German *mate*, meaning 'companion, fellow', akin to Old English *gemæcca* ('mate, match').
The word 'mate' has been used in English since the 14th century, originally referring to a companion or fellow.
Memory tip
Think of a shipmate, someone you're close to on a journey.