Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
sparring mate

sparring mate

5.6
A boxer who trains with another boxer to help them prepare for a fight
  • noun
  • /ˈspɑrɪŋ meɪt/
  • UK
translation icon : compañero de sparring
  • He hired an experienced sparring mate to help him prepare for the championship fight.

Examples

  • The coach selected a new sparring mate who closely matched the style of the upcoming opponent.

  • During the training camp, her sparring mate pushed her to improve her defense.

  • Every boxer needs a good sparring mate.

  • My coach recommended a new sparring mate for me.

  • He hired an experienced sparring mate to help him prepare for the championship fight.

  • During the training camp, her sparring mate pushed her to improve her defense.

  • The coach selected a new sparring mate who closely matched the style of the upcoming opponent.

Synonyms

sparring partner
vssparring mate
10 3.9

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

has identical meaning but labels the person specifically as a boxer

Surface Forms

sparring mate singular
sparring mates plural

Morphology

spar + mate

The meaning 'a boxer who trains with another boxer' is directly derivable from combining 'spar' (to fight or train by mock fighting) with 'mate' (partner/teammate). This compositional pattern is regular (similar to 'sparring partner') and cross-linguistically accessible, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Sparring mate comes from boxers training together. To spar means 'to practice' fighting and a mate is a partner, so a sparring mate is the partner who practises with you and often copies an 'opponent' to help you prepare for a real fight.