classmates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "classmates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who are in the same class or course, typically in an educational setting. Example: "I enjoyed collaborating on the project with my classmates, as we all brought different perspectives to the table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When I left school, I found an older set of associates, all my classmates having fled for university.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Lydia says she will not be happy until her classmates return.

The Guardian

Related: Fragmentation games: the return of the portmanteau film One of the portmanteau film's six storylines concerns a man who tricks various people from his life who he feels wronged by – including former employers, classmates and teachers – on to a plane, before locking himself in the cockpit and crashing it.

The Guardian - Film

Will teachers single out African and Asian girls, either on their own or – worse – in front of their classmates?

The Guardian - Opinion

One message from school classmates said: "I hope your parents find the strength to find peace".

The Guardian

One of their extracurricular projects is the iRoof club, where classmates work on renovating the school's roof.

The Guardian

However, the students left equipped to have difficult but necessary conversations, in their own sexual relationships as well as in supporting friends and classmates.

The Guardian

Only you can be sure what amount of work will get you the grades and either way, your classmates are probably lying about how much they are revising.

The Guardian

His funeral on Friday included full military honors and was attended by 150 classmates.

The Guardian

But the part of this tale that most visibly affects Ernesto is the memory of looking on helplessly as many of his classmates were bundled into police vehicles at gunpoint and driven away.

The Guardian

Asabe and Ruth evaded the fate of 219 of their classmates in the north-eastern Nigerian village of Chibok who are still in captivity.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about educational experiences, use "classmates" to foster a sense of community and shared learning. This term evokes a collaborative environment and mutual support among students.

Common error

Avoid using "classmates" to describe colleagues in a professional setting. "Colleagues" or "coworkers" are more appropriate terms to foster professionalism and respect in non-academic environments.

Linguistic Context

The word "classmates" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a group of people who attend the same class. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, the term frequently appears in news articles and personal narratives to describe individuals who share an educational experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

28%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "classmates" is a common noun used to describe individuals attending the same class, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and formal communications. Related terms include "schoolmates" and "fellow students". When using "classmates", maintain a neutral tone and reserve it for educational settings to avoid miscommunication in professional contexts. Utilize it to cultivate a sense of community and shared learning experiences. As Ludwig confirms, "classmates" is a versatile and reliable term in educational discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

schoolmates

Refers specifically to individuals who attend the same school, emphasizing the shared educational institution.

school fellows

A more formal or old-fashioned term for schoolmates, highlighting a sense of camaraderie.

fellow students

Emphasizes the shared status as learners, irrespective of the specific institution.

peers in class

Highlights the equality and shared level of experience within a classroom setting.

members of the class

A more formal way to refer to those who are part of the same class or cohort.

students in the same grade

Specifically refers to students who are at the same academic level.

those in my year

Indicates individuals who started their studies in the same academic year.

study group members

Focuses on individuals who collaborate in a study group, highlighting their shared academic goals.

course participants

Refers to individuals who are enrolled in the same course or program.

colleagues in education

Broadens the scope to include anyone involved in a learning environment, emphasizing professional collaboration.

FAQs

What is the definition of "classmates"?

"Classmates" refers to individuals who are in the same class or course at a school or educational institution.

What can I say instead of "classmates"?

You can use alternatives like "schoolmates", "fellow students", or "peers in class" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "classmates" when referring to university students?

Yes, "classmates" is suitable for referring to students in the same class at a university or any other educational institution.

How does the term "classmates" differ from "colleagues"?

"Classmates" specifically denotes individuals who are together in an educational setting, whereas "colleagues" refers to people who work together in a professional environment.