Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Topic: BOARD GAMES

Date: 1300-1400
Language: Middle Low German
Origin: mat

mate

1 noun
     
mate1 S3
1

somebody you do something with

[countable] someone you work with, do an activity with, or share something with
class/team/work etc mate
Dad's office mates are throwing a party for him.
house/flat/room mate (=someone you share a house, room etc with)
2

friend

[countable] British English informal
a) a friend:
I'm going out with my mates tonight.
good/best mate
He's good mates with John.
Most of my school mates are black.
b) used as a friendly way to address a man:
What's the time, mate?
3

animal

[countable]HBA the sexual partner of an animal
4

husband/wife

[countable] American English a husband or wife - used especially in magazines [= partner]:
How do women choose their mates?
5

sailor

[countable]PMN a ship's officer who is one rank below the captain
6

navy officer

[countable]PMN a US Navy petty officer
7

builder's/plumber's/electrician's etc mate

British EnglishTBCBO someone who works with and helps a skilled worker
8

game

[uncountable and countable]DGB checkmate in the game of chess
WORD FOCUS: friend WORD FOCUS: friend
similar words: mate BrE informal, buddy AmE informal, pal informal, chum BrE informal, crony disapproving

➔ See also friend
Definition of mate from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English within
the topic BOARD GAMES
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