mate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "mate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used in informal contexts as a term of address or reference to refer to a friend or colleague. For example: "I'm having a BBQ this weekend, mate - do you want to come?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"I'd go for Sri Lanka to win the tournament, especially with our mate Farby in charge," Gillespie told the Guardian.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: Charles Kennedy's battle with the bottle and Britain's alcohol attitude problem | Letters Tales of extreme drunkenness are related between friends with "Good one, mate" cheer and pride.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm talking right back to the Pleistocene Aboriginal migrants, mate.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Coming to the pub, Barry?" "Nah, can't, mate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

No matter the barbs, including Santorum's personal attack on the former House speaker, whom he previously said he might choose as a running mate, it seemed no one could draw blood from Newt.

The Guardian - Opinion

Looking After Jo Jo bears a superficial resemblance to Trainspotting - 'Hey man, it's just like Hill Street Blues,' one character enthuses as he watches his mate shoot up for the first time - but it doesn't have the movie's ambivalence towards drugs.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Senna finally joined Williams himself for the 1994 campaign, with Prost deciding to retire as he refused to be his team-mate again.

The Guardian - Sport

That leaves Williams to mind the fort until a Flood replacement – possibly his old Scarlets club-mate Rhys Priestland, or Freddie Burns of Gloucester – arrives; certainly for the couple of months when Flood is away with England's Six Nations squad.

The Guardian - Sport

Moments later, his team-mate Alessio Cerci struck the winner, sparking such bedlam at the Stadio Olimpico that the team's goalkeeping coach, Beppe Zinetti, wound up tearing an Achilles tendon.

The Guardian - Sport

Meanwhile, Clark's Worcester club-mate Bianca Blackburn is to get a first start on Sunday at scrum-half after an impressive display off the bench in Swansea.

The Guardian - Sport

Aged 42". Henry Kissinger was hired for a television commercial to pose as your nightmare seat-mate on a long flight.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mate" to create a friendly and approachable tone in your writing, especially when addressing or referring to someone familiar.

Common error

Avoid using "mate" in formal or professional writing where it may be perceived as unprofessional or too casual. Opt for alternatives like "colleague" or "associate" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mate" is a noun, referring to a friend, colleague, or partner. It can also be used as a term of address, particularly in British and Australian English, as shown in examples provided by Ludwig. It can be a verb as well.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mate" is a versatile term primarily used as a noun to denote a friend or colleague, but also functions as an informal term of address. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English, particularly in informal settings. While very common in News & Media, it's crucial to avoid using "mate" in formal contexts, opting instead for alternatives like "colleague" or "friend". Understanding these nuances ensures effective and appropriate communication across various scenarios. Ludwig examples show that it is indeed used in casual contexts to mean friend, colleague or partner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

friend

Replaces "mate" with a more general term for a person one knows and likes.

buddy

Offers a more casual and familiar alternative to "mate".

pal

Provides another informal synonym for "mate", often used in a friendly manner.

comrade

Implies a shared sense of purpose or activity, similar to "mate" in certain contexts.

colleague

Refers to someone one works with, mirroring the professional usage of "mate".

associate

A formal way to refer to a colleague or a friend for professional purposes, similar to "colleague".

partner

Suggests a collaborative or supportive relationship, akin to "mate" in some instances.

chum

An older-fashioned term for a close friend, resembling the camaraderie implied by "mate".

running mate

Refers specifically to a political ally, like in the sentence 'Palin was John McCain's running mate'.

teammate

Used for a member of the same team, this refers to "mate" in sports contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "mate" in a sentence?

You can use "mate" as an informal term of address, such as "Alright, "mate", how are you doing?" or to refer to a friend, like "I'm going to the pub with my "mate" tonight".

What's a more formal alternative to "mate"?

Depending on the context, consider using "colleague", "associate", or "friend" as more formal alternatives to "mate".

Is "mate" appropriate in business communication?

Generally, "mate" is too informal for business communication. Use "colleague" or a person's name instead.

What does it mean when someone calls you "mate"?

When someone calls you "mate", it usually indicates a friendly or informal relationship. However, the meaning can vary depending on the regional dialect.