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¹ mate

Pronounced:

/ˈmeɪt/

Function:

noun

Inflected forms:

plural mates

Meaning:

1 [count] : a person who lives with you, works in the same place as you, etc. —usually used in combination with another noun ▪ We have been office mates for 10 years. [=we have worked together in the same office for 10 years] —see also classmate, flatmate, housemate, playmate, roommate, running mate, schoolmate, seatmate, shipmate, soul mate, stablemate, tablemate, teammate, workmate
2 [count] : either one of a pair of animals that are breeding ▪ One bird remains at the nest while its mate hunts for food.
3 [count] chiefly US : a person's husband, wife, or romantic or sexual partner ▪ He was finding it difficult to find a mate. ▪ an ideal mate
4 [count] chiefly US informal : either one of a pair of objects ▪ I can't find the mate to this glove.
5 [count] : an officer on a ship who has a rank below the captain ▪ a first/second/third mate
6 [count] chiefly Brit informal : a friend ▪ Me and a couple of mates of mine went round to the pub. ▪ She and I have been best mates for ages. —often used as a friendly way for one man to address another man ▪ Got a light, mate?
7 [count] chiefly Brit : an assistant or helper ▪ a plumber's mate ▪ an electrician's mate
8 [noncount] : checkmate

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