Fellow vs. Mate: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Fellow" often refers to a person, especially a man, or a peer in a specific group, while "Mate" is commonly used to mean a friend, companion, or sexual partner.
Key Differences
The word "fellow" originated from Old Norse, denoting a partner or companion. In modern usage, it often refers to a man or a member of a certain group with shared interests or status. "Mate," derived from Middle Low German, typically implies a companion or friend. In contemporary contexts, it's used for a friend, spouse, or sexual partner, often seen in British and Australian English.
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Dec 06, 2023
"Fellow" can have academic or professional connotations, as in a "research fellow" or "fellow students." It's generally more formal and can imply a sense of camaraderie or equal status. "Mate" is usually informal, often used colloquially to refer to friends or companions. Its use can suggest familiarity and casualness in relationships.
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Dec 06, 2023
Historically, "fellow" has been male-oriented, but its use has broadened to include any person in a group without specific gender implications. "Mate" is gender-neutral and is used to refer to both men and women, particularly as friends or partners.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 06, 2023
"Fellow" is widely used in American and British English, with a somewhat formal tone and varied applications. Predominantly used in British, Australian, and New Zealand English, "mate" is a common, informal term for a friend or companion.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 06, 2023
The term "fellow" can also be associated with fellowships, indicating a position of prestige or scholarship. In nautical terms, "mate" can refer to an officer's assistant, showing its versatile use beyond personal relationships.
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Dec 06, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Old Norse, meaning partner or companion
Middle Low German, implying companion or friend
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Dec 06, 2023
Formality
More formal, used in academic or professional contexts
Informal, commonly used in casual speech
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Dec 06, 2023
Gender Connotation
Historically male-oriented, now more gender-neutral
Gender-neutral, referring to both men and women
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Dec 06, 2023
Regional Usage
Common in American and British English
Predominantly British, Australian, and New Zealand
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Dec 06, 2023
Special Connotations
Often associated with academic or professional status
In nautical contexts, refers to an officer's assistant
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Dec 06, 2023
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Fellow and Mate Definitions
Fellow
A person in the same position or with similar qualifications.
He regarded every musician as his fellow.
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Nov 25, 2023
Mate
A term for a friend, often in British English.
I'm meeting my mates at the pub tonight.
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Nov 25, 2023
Fellow
A person who accompanies or works with another.
He was a loyal fellow to his colleagues.
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Nov 25, 2023
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Mate
A fellow worker or business associate.
My office mate and I collaborated on the project.
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Nov 25, 2023
Mate
The partner of an animal for breeding.
The bird found a mate during the spring.
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Nov 25, 2023
Mate
Short for checkmate, a winning move in chess.
He declared mate in four moves.
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Nov 25, 2023
Mate
Either of a pair of birds or other animals that associate in order to propagate.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A graduate student appointed to a position granting financial aid and providing for further study.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A physician who enters a training program in a medical specialty after completing residency, usually in a hospital or academic setting.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
Either of a pair of plants, fungi, or other organisms that engage in sexual reproduction or conjugation with each other.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A member of the governing body of certain colleges and universities.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
A person with whom one shares living quarters. Often used in combination
Advertised for a new flatmate.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
Being of the same kind, group, occupation, society, or locality; having in common certain characteristics or interests
Fellow workers.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
An animal which is a member of a breed or species, or a flock, herd, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
An object which is associated with another object; especially, as part of a set.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
An evergreen shrub or small tree (Ilex paraguariensis) of South America, widely cultivated for its leaves, which are used to prepare a tealike beverage.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A person or thing comparable in characteristics with another person or thing; especially, as belonging to the same class or group.
My fellow Americans
Rebecca and her fellow workers are to go on strike.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
A tealike beverage, popular in South America, made from the dried leaves of this plant.Also called Paraguay tea, yerba mate.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
(chiefly in the negative) A person with abilities, achievements, skills, etc., equal to those of another person; a thing with characteristics, worth, etc., equal to those of another thing.
To be without fellow
To have no fellows
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
An oval or rounded container or cup, traditionally made from a hollow calabash, in which this tea is prepared and served.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
To join closely or combine
An engine that is mated to a four-speed transmission.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
Originally, one of a group of academics who make up a college or similar educational institution; now, a senior member of a college or similar educational institution involved in teaching, research, and management of the institution.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
To cause (organisms) to breed or bring (organisms) into close proximity for breeding.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
An honorary title bestowed by a college or university upon a distinguished person (often an alumna or alumnus).
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A (senior) member of a learned or professional society.
A Fellow of the Royal Society
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A scholar appointed to a fellowship, that is, a paid academic position held for a certain period which usually requires the scholar to conduct research.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A physician undergoing a fellowship (supervised subspecialty medical training) after having completed a residency (specialty training program).
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
(US) A member of a college or university who manages its business interests.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
A fellow, comrade, colleague, partner or someone with whom something is shared, e.g. shipmate, classmate.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
(US) A senior researcher or technician in a corporation, especially one engaged in research and development.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
(informal) A male person; a bloke, a chap, a guy, a man; also, preceded by a modifying word, sometimes with a sense of mild reproach: used as a familiar term of address to a man.
My dear fellow
Old fellow
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
A friend, usually of the same sex.
I'm going to the pub with a few mates.
He's my best mate.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
(rare) Usually qualified by an adjective or used in the plural: an individual or person regardless of gender.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
Friendly term of address to a stranger, usually male, of similar age.
Excuse me, mate, have you got the time?
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
(nautical) In naval ranks, a non-commissioned officer or his subordinate (e.g. Boatswain's Mate, Gunner's Mate, Sailmaker's Mate, etc).
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
(nautical) A ship's officer, subordinate to the master on a commercial ship.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
One of a pair of things suited to each other or used together; a counterpart, a mate.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
A technical assistant in certain trades (e.g. gasfitter's mate, plumber's mate); sometimes an apprentice.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
The other member of a matched pair of objects.
I found one of the socks I wanted to wear, but I couldn't find its mate.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A close companion or friend; also, a companion or friend whom one eats or drinks with.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
Senseid|en|drink}} {{alternative spelling of maté, an aromatic tea-like drink prepared from the holly yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis).
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A man without good breeding or of lower social status; a common or ignoble man; also, used as a polite term of address to such a person.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
(intransitive) To match, fit together without space between.
The pieces of the puzzle mate perfectly.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
(derogatory) A worthless person; a churl, a knave; also, used as a term of address to a person regarded as such.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
(transitive) To introduce (animals) together for the purpose of breeding.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
(archaic) To address (someone) as "fellow", especially in an insulting manner (see noun sense 10.6).
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
To equal (someone or something); also, to cause or find someone or something to be equal to (some other person or thing).
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
Followed by with: to associate or join with a person or thing in companionship or a partnership.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A companion; a comrade; an associate; a partner; a sharer.
The fellows of his crime.
We are fellows still,Serving alike in sorrow.
That enormous engine was flanked by two fellows almost of equal magnitude.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
(intransitive) To come together as companions, comrades, partners, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A man without good breeding or worth; an ignoble or mean man.
Worth makes the man, and want of it, the fellow.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
To move (a space shuttle orbiter) onto the back of an aircraft that can carry it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
An equal in power, rank, character, etc.
It is impossible that ever RomeShould breed thy fellow.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
One of a pair, or of two things used together or suited to each other; a mate; the male.
When they be but heifers of one year, . . . they are let go to the fellow and breed.
This was my glove; here is the fellow of it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
The Paraguay tea, being the dried leaf of the Brazilian holly (Ilex Paraguensis). The infusion has a pleasant odor, with an agreeable bitter taste, and is much used for tea in South America.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
In the English universities, a scholar who is appointed to a foundation called a fellowship, which gives a title to certain perquisites and privileges.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
In an American college or university, a member of the corporation which manages its business interests; also, a graduate appointed to a fellowship, who receives the income of the foundation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
One who customarily associates with another; a companion; an associate; any object which is associated or combined with a similar object.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A member of a literary or scientific society; as, a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Were the great duke himself here, and would lift upMy head to fellow pomp amongst his nobles.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
Hence, specifically, a husband or wife; and among the lower animals, one of a pair associated for propagation and the care of their young.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
A suitable companion; a match; an equal.
Ye knew me once no mateFor you; there sitting where you durst not soar.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A boy or man;
That chap is your host
There's a fellow at the door
He's a likable cuss
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
An officer in a merchant vessel ranking next below the captain. If there are more than one bearing the title, they are called, respectively, first mate, second mate, third mate, etc. In the navy, a subordinate officer or assistant; as, master's mate; surgeon's mate.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A person who is frequently in the company of another;
Drinking companions
Comrades in arms
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A person who is member of your class or profession;
The surgeon consulted his colleagues
He sent e-mail to his fellow hackers
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
An informal form of address for a man;
Say, fellow, what are you doing?
Hey buster, what's up?
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A man who is the lover of a girl or young woman;
If I'd known he was her boyfriend I wouldn't have asked
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
A member of an academic institution.
She was elected a fellow of the Royal Society.
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Nov 25, 2023
Mate
To match one's self against; to oppose as equal; to compete with.
There is no passion in the mind of man so weak but it mates and masters the fear of death.
I, . . . in the way of loyalty and truth, . . .Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
Informal term for a male individual.
That young fellow has great potential.
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Nov 25, 2023
Mate
To breed; to bring (animals) together for the purpose of breeding; as, she mated a doberman with a German shepherd.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fellow
Someone belonging to a specific group or society.
He's a fellow of our chess club.
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Nov 25, 2023
Mate
To join together; to fit together; to connect; to link; as, he mated a saw blade to a broom handle to cut inaccessible branches.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
To be or become a mate or mates, especially in sexual companionship; as, some birds mate for life; this bird will not mate with that one.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
A fellow member of a team;
It was his first start against his former teammates
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
The partner of an animal (especially a sexual partner);
He loved the mare and all her mates
Camels hate leaving their mates
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
An exact duplicate;
When a match is found an entry is made in the notebook
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
South American tea-like drink made from leaves of a South American holly called mate
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
A chess move constituting an inescapable and indefensible attack on the opponent's king
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
Bring two objects, ideas, or people together;
This fact is coupled to the other one
Matchmaker, can you match my daughter with a nice young man?
The student was paired with a partner for collaboration on the project
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Oct 19, 2023
Mate
Place an opponent's king under an attack from which it cannot escape and thus ending the game;
Kasparov checkmated his opponent after only a few moves
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can "mate" be used formally?
Typically, "mate" is used informally, especially as a term for a friend or companion.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can "fellow" refer to a woman?
Yes, in modern usage, "fellow" can refer to any person in a group, regardless of gender.
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Dec 06, 2023
Does "fellow" have any special associations?
Yes, it's often associated with academic positions or memberships in societies.
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Dec 06, 2023
Are there professional contexts for "fellow"?
Yes, "fellow" is often used in academic or professional settings, such as a research fellow.
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Dec 06, 2023
Does the use of "mate" vary in different regions?
Yes, its usage and connotations can vary significantly in different English-speaking regions.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is "fellow" gender-specific?
No, it was historically male-oriented but is now used more broadly for any person in a group.
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Dec 06, 2023
What does "research fellow" mean?
It refers to a person holding a research position, usually at a university or academic institution.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is "mate" used the same way in all English-speaking countries?
No, "mate" is more common in British, Australian, and New Zealand English, often informally.
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Dec 06, 2023
What does "mate" mean in nautical terms?
In nautical contexts, "mate" refers to an officer's assistant or subordinate.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is "fellow" commonly used in American English?
Yes, "fellow" is used in both American and British English, often in formal contexts.
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Dec 06, 2023
In what contexts is "fellow" inappropriate?
It might be inappropriate or overly formal in very casual or intimate settings.
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Dec 06, 2023
How is "mate" used in sports?
In sports, "mate" is often used informally among team members or fans.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can "mate" be used to refer to children?
While less common, "mate" can be used casually to refer to children, especially in Australian English.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is "mate" appropriate in business settings?
Generally, "mate" is too informal for most business settings, except in casual conversations.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is "mate" ever used in a romantic context?
Yes, "mate" can also refer to a romantic partner or spouse.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 06, 2023
Are there different meanings for "fellow" in historical contexts?
Historically, "fellow" had more gender-specific connotations and was often associated with trades or guilds.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 06, 2023
Is "fellow" used in modern slang?
It's not commonly used in modern slang; its usage tends to be more traditional or formal.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 06, 2023
Does "mate" have special meanings in games or sports?
In chess, "mate" refers to checkmate, the move that wins the game.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can "mate" be used for both men and women?
Yes, "mate" is gender-neutral and can refer to friends or partners of any gender.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 06, 2023
Can "fellow" imply a sense of camaraderie?
Yes, it often implies a sense of belonging to a group or shared interests.
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Dec 06, 2023
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