mate
1 of 5verb (1)
ˈmāt 
mated; mating
transitive verb
: checkmate sense 2
mate
2 of 5noun (1)
: checkmate sense 1
mate
3 of 5noun (2)
1
a(1)
: associate, companion
(2)
chiefly British : an assistant to a more skilled worker : helper
(3)
chiefly British : friend, buddy —often used as a familiar form of address
b
archaic : match, peer
2
: a deck officer on a merchant ship ranking below the captain
3
: one of a pair: such as
a
: either member of a couple and especially a married couple
b
: either member of a breeding pair of animals
c
: either of two matched objects
mate
4 of 5verb (2)
mated; mating
transitive verb
1
archaic : equal, match
2
: to join or fit together : couple
3
a
: to join together as mates
b
: to provide a mate for
intransitive verb
1
: to become mated
gears that mate well
2
: copulate
maté
5 of 5noun (3)
ma·té ˈmä-ˌtā
variants or mate
1
: a tealike beverage drunk especially in South America
2
: 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
Synonyms
Noun (2)
- companion
- fellow
- half
- match
- twin
Verb (2)
- breed
- copulate
- sleep
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Middle English, from Anglo-French mater, from mat, noun, checkmate, ultimately from Arabic māt (in shāh māt)
Noun (2)
Middle English, probably from Middle Low German māt; akin to Old English gemetta guest at one's table, mete food — more at meat
Noun (3)
French & American Spanish; French maté, from American Spanish mate maté, vessel for drinking it, from Quechua mati vessel
First Known Use
Verb (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Verb (2)
1509, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (3)
1758, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing mate
Kids Definition
mate 1 of 2
noun
ˈmāt
1
: companion sense 1, comrade
2
chiefly British : chum entry 1, friend
Hint: British speakers often use mate as a familiar form of address. Good night, mate!
3
: either member of a breeding pair of animals
4
: an officer on a ship used to carry passengers or freight who ranks below the captain
5
: either member of a married couple
6
: either of two objects that go together
I lost the mate to this glove.
mate
2 of 2verb
mated; mating
1
: to join as married partners
2
: to come or bring together for breeding
These birds mate for life.
Medical Definition
mate 1 of 2
verb
ˈmāt
mated; mating
transitive verb
: to pair or join for breeding
intransitive verb
: copulate
maté
2 of 2noun
ma·té
variants or mate
ˈmä-ˌtā
1
: an aromatic beverage used chiefly in South America and especially in Paraguay that has stimulant properties like those of coffee
2
: a South American holly (Ilex paraguayensis) whose leaves and shoots are used in making maté
also : these leaves and shoots
mates 1 of 2
noun
1
as in halves
either of a pair matched in one or more qualities have you seen the mate to this glove anywhere? Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- halves
- companions
- matches
- twins
- fellows
- similarities
- peers
- likes
- counterparts
- equivalents
- coordinates
- rivals
- equals
- replicas
- parallels
- analogs
- identical twins
- doubles
- duplicates
- ringers
- mirror images
- carbon copies
- analogues
- coequals
- likenesses
- facsimiles
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- opposites
- antipodes
- contraries
- antitheses
- reverses
- converses
2
as in associates
a person frequently seen in the company of another that lout and his mates are known troublemakers in the neighborhood Synonyms & Similar Words
- associates
- buddies
- friends
- colleagues
- peers
- comrades
- companions
- classmates
- cohorts
- accomplices
- fellows
- compatriots
- teammates
- partners
- compeers
- cronies
- pals
- workmates
- chums
- running mates
- allies
- coworkers
- collaborators
- hobnobbers
- shipmates
- confidants
- co-workers
- housemates
- equals
- playmates
- halves
- messmates
- confederates
- schoolmates
- countrymen
- affiliates
- roommates
- intimates
- familiars
- playfellows
- roomies
- escorts
- hearties
- parasites
- attendants
- leeches
- hangers-on
3
as in assistants
chiefly British a person who helps a more skilled person a plumber and his mate showed up to fix the sink in our London hotel room Synonyms & Similar Words
- assistants
- apprentices
- aides
- sidekicks
- adjutants
- aids
- lieutenants
- deputies
- helpers
- helpmates
- servants
- helpmeets
- employees
- subordinates
- coadjutors
- workers
- underlings
- scullions
- maids
- adjuncts
- attendants
- legmen
- hands
- laborers
- maidservants
- hirelings
- handmaidens
- handmaids
- auxiliaries
- help
- employes
- swampers
- right hands
- girl Fridays
- aides-de-camp
- man Fridays
- gal Fridays
4
as in partners
the person to whom another is married they vowed to each other that they would remain mates for life Synonyms & Similar Words
- partners
- spouses
- husbands
- wives
- consorts
- significant others
- soul mates
- brides
- better halves
- grooms
- men
- ladies
- hubbies
- bridegrooms
- domestic partners
- helpmates
- old men
- helpmeets
- misters
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- exes
- singles
- bachelors
- maidens
- maids
- spinsters
- bachelorettes
5
as in friends
chiefly British a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another spent the weekend in London with some of his mates from Oxford Synonyms & Similar Words
- friends
- buddies
- pals
- chums
- colleagues
- confidants
- comrades
- compadres
- amigos
- cronies
- sisters
- acquaintances
- partners
- intimates
- confidantes
- familiars
- musketeers
- brothers
- associates
- peers
- alter egos
- companions
- brethren
- allies
- fellows
- cohorts
- collaborators
- accomplices
- hearties
- supporters
- sports
- confederates
- blood brothers
- benefactors
- sympathizers
- pen pals
- hobnobbers
- friendlies
- main men
- abettors
- abetters
- well-wishers
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- enemies
- foes
- competitors
- opponents
- rivals
- adversaries
- antagonists
- nemeses
- archenemies
mates
2 of 2verb
as in sleeps
to engage in sexual intercourse cats conceive almost every time they mate Synonyms & Similar Words
- sleeps
- copulates
- breeds
- does it
- has sex
- fornicates
- fools around