Mate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈmāt/ (verb) /ˈmä-ˌtā/ (noun)

Meaning & Definition of Mate

Mate (verb)

  1. checkmate
  2. equal, match
  3. to join or fit together, couple
  4. to join together as mates

Mate (noun)

  1. checkmate
  2. associate, companion
  3. an assistant to a more skilled worker, helper
  4. friend, buddy —often used as a familiar form of address
  5. a tealike beverage drunk especially in South America
  6. a South American shrub or tree (Ilex paraguariensis) of the holly family whose leaves and shoots are used in making maté; also, these leaves and shoots

Mate (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. either of a pair matched in one or more qualities

    "have you seen the mate to this glove anywhere?"

    similar: companion, fellow, half, match, twin
    related: coordinate, coequal, counterpart, equal, equivalent, like, parallel, peer, rival, carbon copy, double, duplicate, facsimile, identical twin, likeness, mirror image, replica, ringer, analogue, similarity
    near: antipode, antithesis, contrary, converse, opposite, reverse

  2. a person frequently seen in the company of another

    "that lout and his mates are known troublemakers in the neighborhood"

    similar: associate, cohort, companion, compatriot, compeer, comrade, crony, fellow, hobnobber, running mate
    related: colleague, coworker, equal, peer, workmate, accomplice, affiliate, ally, collaborator, confederate, half, partner, buddy, chum, confidant, familiar, friend, hearty, intimate, pal, countryman, classmate, housemate, messmate, playfellow, playmate, roommate, schoolmate, shipmate, teammate, attendant, escort, hanger-on, leech, parasite

  3. a person who helps a more skilled person

    "a plumber and his mate showed up to fix the sink in our London hotel room"

    similar: adjunct, adjutant, aid, aide, apprentice, assistant, coadjutor, deputy, helper, helpmate, helpmeet, lieutenant, sidekick
    related: attendant, handmaiden, maid, maidservant, scullion, servant, auxiliary, legman, subordinate, underling, employee, hand, help, hireling, laborer, swamper, worker, gal Friday, girl Friday, man Friday, right hand, aide-de-camp

  4. the person to whom another is married

    "they vowed to each other that they would remain mates for life"

    similar: better half, consort, partner, significant other, spouse
    related: soulmate, domestic partner, bridegroom, groom, hubby, husband, man, mister, old man, bride, helpmate, helpmeet, lady, wife
    near: ex, single, bachelor, bachelorette, maid, maiden, spinster

  5. a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another

    "spent the weekend in London with some of his mates from Oxford"

    similar: alter ego, amigo, buddy, chum, compadre, comrade, confidant, confidante, crony, familiar, friend, intimate, musketeer, pal
    related: acquaintance, associate, cohort, colleague, companion, fellow, hearty, hobnobber, partner, peer, sport, blood brother, brother, main man, sister, abettor, accomplice, ally, collaborator, confederate, pen pal, benefactor, supporter, sympathizer, well-wisher, friendly
    opposite: enemy, foe
    near: adversary, antagonist, competitor, opponent, rival, archenemy, nemesis

Mate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to engage in sexual intercourse

    "cats conceive almost every time they mate"

    similar: breed, copulate, sleep, do it, have sex
    related: fool around, fornicate

Related Entry: Running mate (noun)

Running mate is a different word from Mate. The synonyms below are for running mate, not for mate.

  1. a person frequently seen in the company of another

    "inseparable running mates who first met when they were in elementary school"

    similar: associate, cohort, companion, compatriot, compeer, comrade, crony, fellow, hobnobber, mate
    related: colleague, coworker, equal, peer, workmate, accomplice, affiliate, ally, collaborator, confederate, half, partner, buddy, chum, confidant, familiar, friend, hearty, intimate, pal, countryman, classmate, housemate, messmate, playfellow, playmate, roommate, schoolmate, shipmate, teammate, attendant, escort, hanger-on, leech, parasite

Related Entry: Soulmate (noun)

Soulmate is a different word from Mate. The synonyms below are for soulmate, not for mate.

  1. as in husband, wife

    similar: better half, companion, consort, husband, mate, partner, significant other, spouse, wife, hausfrau, homemaker, househusband, housekeeper, housewife, stay-at-home

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Mate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Mate:

companion, fellow, half, match, twin, associate, cohort, compatriot, compeer, comrade, crony, hobnobber, running mate, adjunct, adjutant, aid, aide, apprentice, assistant, coadjutor, deputy, helper, helpmate, helpmeet, lieutenant, sidekick, better half, consort, partner, significant other, spouse, alter ego, amigo, buddy, chum, compadre, confidant, confidante, familiar, friend

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Mate

Words with the opposite meaning of Mate:

enemy, foe

Related Words for Mate

coordinate, coequal, counterpart, equal, equivalent, like, parallel, peer, rival, carbon copy, double, duplicate, facsimile, identical twin, likeness, mirror image, replica, ringer, analogue, similarity, colleague, coworker, workmate, accomplice, affiliate, ally, collaborator, confederate, hearty, countryman

Near Antonyms of Mate

antipode, antithesis, contrary, converse, opposite, reverse, ex, single, bachelor, bachelorette, maid, maiden, spinster, adversary, antagonist, competitor, opponent, rival, archenemy, nemesis

Word Forms of Mate

Inflections: mated, mating

Origin & Etymology of Mate

Middle English, from Anglo-French mater, from mat, noun, checkmate, ultimately from Arabic māt (in shāh māt)

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Mate

Words & Phrases Containing Mate

mate for life, aerographer's mate, age-mate, running mate, yerba mate

Frequently Asked Questions about Mate

What does "Mate" mean?

"Mate" means checkmate. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: checkmate. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Mate"?

Other words for "Mate" include companion, fellow, half, match, twin, associate, cohort and compatriot. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Mate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Mate"?

There are 140 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Mate". Common alternatives include companion, fellow, half, match, twin, associate, cohort, compatriot, compeer and comrade.

What is the opposite of "Mate"?

Antonyms of "Mate" include enemy and foe. Near antonyms include antipode, antithesis, contrary and converse.

How do you use "Mate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Mate" in a sentence: "have you seen the mate to this glove anywhere?"; "that lout and his mates are known troublemakers in the neighborhood"; "a plumber and his mate showed up to fix the sink in our London hotel room".

Is "Mate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Mate" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Mate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Mate" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Mate"?

"Mate" is pronounced /ˈmāt/ as a verb and /ˈmä-ˌtā/ as a noun.