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mate

mate

707 5.3
A person who is a friend, used in casual talk
  • noun
  • /meɪt/
  • UK
: amigo
  • He's been my best mate since we were kids and we always support each other.

Of course not magic, mate, It's a trick.

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Examples

  • Buzz, come here, mate, come here, sit down.

  • Hey Josh, well played mate, Well played.

  • But it's my job, Adam, mate, we're best friends, right?

  • You know, like he was my best mate, Like I said, all right.

  • I said, listen, mate, you know me.

  • Did you have all your mates round in secret?

  • Now we encourage people to come with their mates if they are married.

  • My mate's coming in next week.

  • I go to school, come back, and then go out with my mates in the evening.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • I think you're ill, mate.

Synonyms

friend
vsmate
∞ 1.0

A person you know well and like who is not family or a romantic partner

is the informal, often male, casual word for that relationship
buddy
vsmate
  • Informal
∞ 1.0

A close friend you spend time with

is an informal label for a companion regardless of regular contact
pal
vsmate
  • Informal
∞ 1.0

A close friend you spend time with

is a casual term for a companion without focusing on shared activities
homie
vsmate
  • Slang
145 8.6

A close friend often from the same neighborhood or background

is an informal companion word not limited to shared place or upbringing
amigo
vsmate
  • Informal
120 7.8

A person you like and trust, often a close friend

is the informal male-oriented label used more generally, not only for very close ties
homey
vsmate
  • Slang
94 8.6

A close friend you know well and trust

is an informal companion term that does not stress trust specifically
bro
vsmate
  • Slang
88 7.7

A male friend or a brother

is an informal companion term used for any gender, not only males
chum
vsmate
  • UK
57 6.4

A close friend you spend a lot of time with

is a neutral informal term for any companion not stressing time spent
bestie
vsmate
  • Slang
20 7.2

A very close friend you trust and talk to often

is a more general informal term for a companion, not only closest
bubby
vsmate
  • Informal
7 9.1

A friendly name for a close friend

is an informal companion name that may not be used as direct address
brah
vsmate
  • Australian
6 9.9

An informal word for a guy friend, like bro

is a general informal companion word not restricted to male slang
cobber
vsmate
  • Australian
1 9.9

A close friend like a mate from school or work

is a general informal term for companions used across varieties of English
bubber
vsmate
  • Informal
1 9.9

A friendly name people use to talk to a close friend

is a general informal companion label used even when not addressing someone
old bud
vsmate
  • Informal
1 8.1

A friend you have known for a long time, often since childhood

is the casual word used for companions with no emphasis on duration
gabber
vsmate
  • Slang
1 9.9

A friend used especially in Dutch and Belgian English

is the more widely used casual term beyond those regional varieties
bre
vsmate
  • South African
1 9.9

A close friend like a brother

is a neutral informal companion term that lacks strong slang tone
fast mate
vsmate
  • Informal
6.6

A close friend who spends a lot of time with you

is a general informal term for a companion, not necessarily very close

Antonyms

foe
117 3.5

A person or group that fights against you in a conflict

Compounds

100 3.4

A person you feel a deep, natural connection with as a close friend or romantic partner

90 4.7

A person chosen to run with another candidate, usually as vice-president

first mate
  • Specialized
19 5.0

An officer just below the captain in charge of the crew and deck work

fast mate
  • Informal
6.6

A close friend who spends a lot of time with you

5.6

A boxer who trains with another boxer to help them prepare for a fight

How Close

best friend
∞ 1.0
mate
  • UK
707 5.3
friend
∞ 1.0
acquaintance
156 3.5

Surface Forms

mate singular
mates plural

Etymology

The informal mate meaning 'friend' comes from the same old word for 'companion', and it is used like teammate to mean someone on your side or a close friend.