mate

mate · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (noun, British/Australian informal) A friend or companion.

  2. 2.

    (noun) A sexual partner in animals; one of a breeding pair.

  3. 3.

    (noun) A spouse or romantic partner.

  4. 4.

    (noun) An officer on a merchant ship ranking below the captain.

  5. 5.

    (noun) In chess, short for checkmate.

  6. 6.

    (verb) To copulate or breed.

  7. 7.

    (verb) To join or fit together.

Forms

plural: mates

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    checkmate — A winning position in chess
  • •
    roommate — A person sharing living quarters
  • •
    soulmate — A person ideally suited to another
  • •
    running mate — A political partner

Related words

Antonyms: enemy, stranger
See also: companion, friend, mates, mating, partner
Synonyms: companion, friend, partner

Etymology

From Middle Low German gemate ("messmate, companion"), or from Middle Dutch maet ("companion"). The chess term comes from Persian mat ("dead, defeated").