colleagues

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'colleagues' is correct in written English, and it can be used to refer to people who work together in a similar way, such as co-workers, business associates, co-professionals, and so on.
For example: "The team consists of 10 colleagues from various backgrounds, each with unique skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The news came as a surprise to nationalist colleagues, although Mr Mallon is a year older than Mr Hume, who is retiring on health grounds.

The Guardian

Documents obtained under Right to Information (RTI) laws reveal that Carmody blindsided his colleagues with a public statement that he would decide who sat in the court of disputed returns (CDR) during a cliffhanger election result in February.

The Guardian

Nor did any of our colleagues with whom I have spoken.

The Guardian

Male Conservative MPs voted against equal marriage in larger numbers proportionally than their female colleagues, according to a breakdown of the voting figures after the historic debate in parliament.

The Guardian

His colleagues, he wrote, were being held in worse conditions than he was.

The Guardian

How will other colleagues react to the disability?

The Guardian

Colleagues discussed possible collaborations simply for the interest of the ideas and the difference that they would make in the social world rather than what they would gain from collaborating.

The Guardian

When he wasn't tangling with his host, Pyne used the interview to encourage his colleagues to stay the course.

The Guardian

McConnell and Burr had led the effort in recent weeks to reauthorize the Patriot Act in its current form, ignoring the will of their colleagues in the House and a majority of the American public.

The Guardian

We are fully committed to opposing it and the victimisation of Candy, who has done nothing more than stand up for her colleagues and try to hold her employer to account.

The Guardian - Arts

Yet unlike most colleagues, at least the £10m midfielder was prepared to discuss Sunderland's plight.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "colleagues" to foster a sense of community and shared purpose within a professional environment.

Common error

While "colleagues" is versatile, it can sound overly formal in very casual settings. Consider using simpler terms like "coworkers" or "team members" for a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "colleagues" functions as a plural noun, typically referring to people who work together in a professional setting. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a standard term for describing working relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Opinion

3%

Books

2%

Sport

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "colleagues" is a versatile and commonly used term to refer to people who work together. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While it is most frequently found in news and media, business, and scientific contexts, as the Ludwig examples demonstrates, it's appropriate for a wide range of professional settings. While "colleagues" is suitable in most situations, consider the tone of your writing and switch to words like "coworkers", "fellow workers" or "professional peers" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Coworkers

A more informal term for people who work together.

Fellow workers

Emphasizes the shared labor or effort among individuals.

Associates

Highlights a professional connection or partnership.

Work associates

Highlights the professional connection within a work setting.

Professional peers

Focuses on individuals at a similar level in their profession.

Fellow professionals

Emphasizes the shared expertise and standards within a field.

Team members

Refers to individuals who are part of a specific group working towards a common goal.

Collaborators

Refers to people working together on a project.

Office staff

Denotes those employed in an office environment, potentially including administrative roles.

Workforce

Refers to the entire body of workers in a company or area.

FAQs

How can I use "colleagues" in a sentence?

You can use "colleagues" to refer to people you work with, as in, "I discussed the project with my "coworkers"." or "My "fellow workers" and I collaborate on various initiatives."

What's a more informal word for "colleagues"?

A more informal term for "colleagues" is "coworkers". This word is suitable for casual office environments and conversations.

What are some synonyms for "colleagues" in a professional setting?

In a professional context, synonyms for "colleagues" include "professional peers", "work associates", and "fellow professionals". Each carries a slightly different connotation.

Is "colleagues" appropriate for academic settings?

Yes, "colleagues" is perfectly appropriate in academic environments to refer to fellow academics, researchers, or faculty members. It conveys respect and acknowledges shared professional standing, like in, "My "fellow professionals" and I collaborate on various initiatives."