Mates: meaning, definitions and examples

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mates

[ meɪts ]

^{Context #1}

group of friends

Mates refer to a group of friends who are close and spend a lot of time together. The term is commonly used in Australian and British English.

Synonyms

buddies, friends, pals

Examples of usage

They have been mates since childhood.
She went out with her mates for a drink.
We're all mates here, we support each other.

^{Context #2}

partner

In British English, 'mate' can also mean a romantic partner or spouse. It is a colloquial term used to refer to a significant other.

Synonyms

partner, significant other, spouse

Examples of usage

She's my mate, we've been together for years.
He's looking for a new mate after his divorce.

^{Context #3}

join together

To mate can also mean to join together, especially in terms of animals mating for reproduction.

Synonyms

breed, reproduce

Examples of usage

The two dogs mated and now we have puppies.
The birds mated in the spring.

Translations

Translations of the word "mates" in other languages:

🇵🇹 companheiros

🇮🇳 साथी

🇩🇪 Kameraden

🇮🇩 teman

🇺🇦 товариші

🇵🇱 towarzysze

🇯🇵 仲間

🇫🇷 camarades

🇪🇸 compañeros

🇹🇷 arkadaşlar

🇰🇷 친구들

🇸🇦 رفاق

🇨🇿 kamarádi

🇸🇰 kamaráti

🇨🇳 伙伴

🇸🇮 prijatelji

🇮🇸 félagar

🇰🇿 достар

🇬🇪 მეგობრები

🇦🇿 yoldaşlar

🇲🇽 compañeros

Word origin

The word 'mates' has its origins in Middle English, from the Old French 'matis' meaning 'comrade' or 'companion'. It has been used in English for centuries, evolving to encompass various meanings related to friendship, partnership, and reproduction.

See also: inmate, inmates, mating, stalemate.