mate

//meɪt//
A2Frequency Level 8Colloquial
Visual representation of mate

Noun

mateSingular
matesPlural
1

A friend or companion, especially used informally in British and Australian English.

He's my best mate from school.

2

A partner in marriage or a romantic relationship; a spouse.

She found her perfect mate and they got married last year.

3

One of a pair of animals that breed together.

The bird found a mate and built a nest.

4

An assistant or helper, especially on a ship (e.g., first mate).

The first mate helped the captain navigate the ship.

5

A checkmate in chess.

He announced mate in three moves.

Verb

mateInfinitive
matePresent tense
matedPast tense
matedPast participle
matingPresent participle
matesThird-person singular
1

To join together for breeding; to copulate (of animals).

The birds mate in spring.

2

To pair or match together; to join as partners.

The teacher mated the students for the group project.

3

To checkmate an opponent in chess.

She mated her opponent in just ten moves.

Synonym