Mates: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is commonly used in British English to refer to casual friends and companions. It often carries a sense of camaraderie and informality.

• I'm going out for a drink with my mates tonight.
• We've been mates since college.

A general term for people with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically one exclusive of sexual or family relations. This term is neutral and widely used in both formal and informal settings.

• We have been friends for over ten years.
• She's my best friend.

This term is commonly used in American English and is informal, often referring to close friends or companions, sometimes with a sense of playfulness.

• My buddies and I are going to the game this weekend.
• He's been my buddy since we were kids.

An informal term that can sound a bit old-fashioned or playful. It often conveys a sense of a friendly and less serious bond.

• I'm meeting my pals for coffee later.
• We were great pals in school.

Used informally to refer to friends, typically in British English. Suitable for casual conversations.

• I'm going out for drinks with my mates tonight.
• He and his mates went on a hiking trip last weekend.

Refers to a romantic companion or someone you are in a long-term relationship with. Can be used in both formal and informal settings.

• My partner and I are moving in together next month.
• She introduced her business partner at the meeting.

Specifically refers to someone who is legally married. Used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing matters related to marriage or legal documents.

• Spouses are eligible for the company’s health insurance plan.
• She always consults her spouse before making major decisions.

A more formal or neutral term for referring to a romantic companion. Suitable in various contexts, including formal writing or when the nature of the relationship is not specified.

• Invitations are extended to employees and their significant others.
• He had been contemplating the best way to propose to his significant other.

Typically used to refer to animals pairing together for reproduction or social companionship. It has a neutral connotation.

• The penguins found their mates for the breeding season.
• In the wild, wolves often stay with their mates for life.

Can refer to animals producing offspring, often in a controlled environment like farms or breeding programs. It can also refer to producing a specific variety or strain of animal or plant.

• Farmers breed chickens to produce more eggs.
• Scientists are working to breed disease-resistant varieties of crops.

Used in both biological and more general contexts to describe the process of creating new life. It is a technical term often found in scientific discussions.

• Many fish reproduce by laying eggs in the water.
• Cells reproduce through a process called mitosis.