Slang – Mate.
Friend. An informal word for a friend or companion.
Mate is extremely common in British and Australian English. It’s also used as a friendly way to talk to someone – even a stranger: “Excuse me, mate, can you tell me where the bank is?”
Watch the tone, though! Said sharply, mate can signal annoyance: “Mate, that’s my seat.”
Other Words for Friends:
- BFF – best friend forever.
- Buddy – very common in American English.
- Chum – friendly and a little old-fashioned.
- Fam – family and close friends.
- Pal – a friend.
More Words With “-mate”:
- Classmate – a person in the same class as you.
- Flatmate – someone you share a flat (US: apartment) with.
- Roommate – someone you share a room with (in the US, also someone you share a home with).
- Running mate – in US politics, a candidate running alongside another on the same ticket.
- Teammate – someone on the same team as you.
Example:
- “My mates are coming over later to watch the footy.”
Learn More
Look it upMateWiktionaryWhat is slang?
Slang is very informal language. It’s usually spoken rather than written, and is often used by a particular group of people or in a particular place. Slang changes over time, and using it well is a great way to sound more natural when speaking English.
Frequently Asked Questions
A friend. It is also used as a friendly way to speak to someone, even a stranger.
It is very common in British and Australian English.
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