mates

Noun

mate (plural mates)

1. A fellow, comrade, colleague, partner or someone with whom something is shared, e.g. shipmate, classmate.
   • A "mate" was a "mate" - share and share alike, no matter how bad might be the times, or how long a spell of ill luck had attended them.1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 152

   Synonyms:

   fellow, fere

2. (especially) A breeding partner.
   • Such overt displays of avowed sexual prowess – or at least, desperate availability – are not limited to the countryside. Even in the city, birds and animals and stockbrokers and nurses find ways of signalling their suitability as a mate.2015 April 16, Richard P. Grant, “Sex and the successful fundraiser”, in The Guardian
3. (Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK, colloquial) A friend, usually of the same sex.
   • I'm going to the pub with a few mates.

   Synonyms:

   friend, buddy, babber, billy, bredrin, bruv, bud, buddo, butty, chaver

4. (Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK, colloquial) Friendly term of address to a stranger, usually male, of similar age.
   • Excuse me, mate, have you got the time?

   Synonyms:

   buddy

5. In naval ranks, a non-commissioned officer or his subordinate (e.g. Boatswain's Mate, Gunner's Mate, Sailmaker's Mate, etc).
6. A ship's officer, subordinate to the master on a commercial ship.

See all 24 meanings of mate