Fellow vs. Mate — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 12, 2023
Fellow refers to a person in the same position, group, or task. Mate indicates a partner or companion. While "fellow" often suggests shared circumstances, "mate" implies partnership or camaraderie.
Difference Between Fellow and Mate
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Key Differences
Fellow is a term that often refers to someone who shares a particular condition or circumstance with another. For instance, a "fellow student" denotes someone who is also a student in the same institution or class. On the other hand, mate generally denotes a companion or a partner, often seen in contexts like teamwork or relationships.
When considering the usage in professional settings, fellow can refer to someone who holds a similar position or rank. For instance, a "research fellow" in a university is someone appointed for advanced study or research. Conversely, mate in specific industries like maritime might mean a coworker with specific duties, such as the "first mate" on a ship.
In social contexts, fellow might be employed more formally to address or describe a man, somewhat akin to "guy" or "gentleman". However, mate is often used colloquially, especially in British English, as a term of endearment between friends, similar to "buddy" or "pal".
In certain situations, fellow may emphasize mutual experiences or characteristics. You might hear "fellow travelers" or "fellow citizens". Mate, meanwhile, emphasizes more on partnership, as in "soul mate" or "classmate", suggesting a deeper bond or shared responsibility.
Lastly, while both terms can be used to describe relationships between people, fellow leans more towards shared situations or characteristics, and mate leans more towards partnership and camaraderie.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
Person in the same position, group, or task
Partner or companion
Professional Usage
Similar position or rank (e.g., research fellow)
Specific duties (e.g., first mate)
Social Context
Formal address for a man
Colloquial term of endearment
Emphasis
Mutual experiences or characteristics
Partnership or shared responsibility
Common Contexts
Fellow travelers, fellow students
Soul mate, classmate, shipmate
Compare with Definitions
Fellow
A person who is the equal of another in abilities, qualifications, or background.
He considered her his fellow in intelligence.
Mate
One of a pair.
The male bird is looking for its mate.
Fellow
A fellow is a broad concept whose exact meaning depends on context. In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements.
Mate
A friend or companion.
Hey mate, how have you been?
Fellow
A man or boy.
Mate
An officer on a merchant ship ranking below the captain.
The first mate gave the orders to the crew.
Fellow
(Informal) A boyfriend.
Mate
A counterpart or match.
I found the perfect mate for my shoe that I lost.
Fellow
A comrade or associate.
Mate
Spouse or life partner.
They've been soul mates since high school.
Fellow
A person of equal rank, position, or background; a peer.
Mate
One of a matched pair
The mate to this glove.
Fellow
One of a pair; a mate
Found the lost shoe and its fellow.
Mate
A spouse or romantic partner.
Fellow
A member of a learned society or professional organization.
Mate
Either of a pair of birds or other animals that associate in order to propagate.
Fellow
A graduate student appointed to a position granting financial aid and providing for further study.
Mate
Either of a pair of animals brought together for breeding.
Fellow
A physician who enters a training program in a medical specialty after completing residency, usually in a hospital or academic setting.
Mate
Either of a pair of plants, fungi, or other organisms that engage in sexual reproduction or conjugation with each other.
Fellow
An incorporated senior member of certain colleges and universities.
Mate
A person with whom one is in close association; an associate.
Fellow
A member of the governing body of certain colleges and universities.
Mate
Chiefly British A good friend or companion.
Fellow
(Archaic) A man or boy held in low regard.
Mate
A person with whom one shares living quarters. Often used in combination
Advertised for a new flatmate.
Fellow
Being of the same kind, group, occupation, society, or locality; having in common certain characteristics or interests
Fellow workers.
Mate
A deck officer on a merchant ship ranking next below the master.
Fellow
A companion; a comrade.
Mate
A US Navy petty officer who is an assistant to a warrant officer.
Fellow
An animal which is a member of a breed or species, or a flock, herd, etc.
Mate
A checkmate.
Fellow
An object which is associated with another object; especially, as part of a set.
Mate
An evergreen shrub or small tree (Ilex paraguariensis) of South America, widely cultivated for its leaves, which are used to prepare a tealike beverage.
Fellow
A person or thing comparable in characteristics with another person or thing; especially, as belonging to the same class or group.
My fellow Americans
Rebecca and her fellow workers are to go on strike.
Mate
A tealike beverage, popular in South America, made from the dried leaves of this plant.Also called Paraguay tea, yerba mate.
Fellow
(chiefly in the negative) A person with abilities, achievements, skills, etc., equal to those of another person; a thing with characteristics, worth, etc., equal to those of another thing.
To be without fellow
To have no fellows
Mate
An oval or rounded container or cup, traditionally made from a hollow calabash, in which this tea is prepared and served.
Fellow
One in the same condition, or situation of need, as another.
Mate
To join closely or combine
An engine that is mated to a four-speed transmission.
Fellow
Often in the form Fellow: academic senses.
Mate
To cause to be united in marriage or a romantic sexual relationship.
Fellow
Originally, one of a group of academics who make up a college or similar educational institution; now, a senior member of a college or similar educational institution involved in teaching, research, and management of the institution.
Mate
To cause (organisms) to breed or bring (organisms) into close proximity for breeding.
Fellow
An honorary title bestowed by a college or university upon a distinguished person (often an alumna or alumnus).
Mate
To become joined in marriage or a romantic sexual relationship.
Fellow
A (senior) member of a learned or professional society.
A Fellow of the Royal Society
Mate
To be paired for reproducing; breed.
Fellow
A scholar appointed to a fellowship, that is, a paid academic position held for a certain period which usually requires the scholar to conduct research.
Mate
To engage in sexual reproduction or conjugation.
Fellow
A physician undergoing a fellowship (supervised subspecialty medical training) after having completed a residency (specialty training program).
Mate
To checkmate or achieve a checkmate.
Fellow
(US) A member of a college or university who manages its business interests.
Mate
A fellow, comrade, colleague, partner or someone with whom something is shared, e.g. shipmate, classmate.
Fellow
(US) A senior researcher or technician in a corporation, especially one engaged in research and development.
Mate
(especially of a non-human animal) A breeding partner.
Fellow
(informal) A male person; a bloke, a chap, a guy, a man; also, preceded by a modifying word, sometimes with a sense of mild reproach: used as a familiar term of address to a man.
My dear fellow
Old fellow
Mate
A friend, usually of the same sex.
I'm going to the pub with a few mates.
He's my best mate.
Fellow
(rare) Usually qualified by an adjective or used in the plural: an individual or person regardless of gender.
Mate
Friendly term of address to a stranger, usually male, of similar age.
Excuse me, mate, have you got the time?
Fellow
An animal or object.
Mate
(nautical) In naval ranks, a non-commissioned officer or his subordinate (e.g. Boatswain's Mate, Gunner's Mate, Sailmaker's Mate, etc).
Fellow
(archaic)
Mate
(nautical) A ship's officer, subordinate to the master on a commercial ship.
Fellow
One of a pair of things suited to each other or used together; a counterpart, a mate.
Mate
(nautical) A first mate.
Fellow
(Australian Aboriginal) fella
Mate
A technical assistant in certain trades (e.g. gasfitter's mate, plumber's mate); sometimes an apprentice.
Fellow
(obsolete)
Mate
The other member of a matched pair of objects.
I found one of the socks I wanted to wear, but I couldn't find its mate.
Fellow
A colleague or partner.
Mate
A suitable companion; a match; an equal.
Fellow
A close companion or friend; also, a companion or friend whom one eats or drinks with.
Mate
(chess) checkmate
Fellow
Followed by of: one who participates in an activity; a participant.
Mate
Senseid|en|drink}} {{alternative spelling of maté, an aromatic tea-like drink prepared from the holly yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis).
Fellow
A man without good breeding or of lower social status; a common or ignoble man; also, used as a polite term of address to such a person.
Mate
The abovementioned plant; the leaves and shoots used for the tea
Fellow
A person's servant or slave.
Mate
(intransitive) To match, fit together without space between.
The pieces of the puzzle mate perfectly.
Fellow
(derogatory) A worthless person; a churl, a knave; also, used as a term of address to a person regarded as such.
Mate
(intransitive) To copulate.
Fellow
Synonym of schoolmate
Mate
(intransitive) To pair in order to raise offspring.
Fellow
A black man.
Mate
(transitive) To arrange in matched pairs.
Fellow
(transitive)
Mate
(transitive) To introduce (animals) together for the purpose of breeding.
Fellow
(archaic) To address (someone) as "fellow", especially in an insulting manner (see noun sense 10.6).
Mate
To copulate with.
Fellow
To equal (someone or something); also, to cause or find someone or something to be equal to (some other person or thing).
Mate
(transitive) To marry; to match (a person).
Fellow
(obsolete)
Mate
To match oneself against; to oppose as equal; to compete with.
Fellow
Followed by with: to associate or join with a person or thing in companionship or a partnership.
Mate
(transitive) To fit (objects) together without space between.
Fellow
A companion; a comrade; an associate; a partner; a sharer.
The fellows of his crime.
We are fellows still,Serving alike in sorrow.
That enormous engine was flanked by two fellows almost of equal magnitude.
Mate
(intransitive) To come together as companions, comrades, partners, etc.
Fellow
A man without good breeding or worth; an ignoble or mean man.
Worth makes the man, and want of it, the fellow.
Mate
To move (a space shuttle orbiter) onto the back of an aircraft that can carry it.
Fellow
An equal in power, rank, character, etc.
It is impossible that ever RomeShould breed thy fellow.
Mate
(chess) checkmate
Fellow
One of a pair, or of two things used together or suited to each other; a mate; the male.
When they be but heifers of one year, . . . they are let go to the fellow and breed.
This was my glove; here is the fellow of it.
Mate
(obsolete) To confuse; to confound.
Fellow
A person; an individual.
She seemed to be a good sort of fellow.
Mate
The Paraguay tea, being the dried leaf of the Brazilian holly (Ilex Paraguensis). The infusion has a pleasant odor, with an agreeable bitter taste, and is much used for tea in South America.
Fellow
In the English universities, a scholar who is appointed to a foundation called a fellowship, which gives a title to certain perquisites and privileges.
Mate
Same as Checkmate.
Fellow
In an American college or university, a member of the corporation which manages its business interests; also, a graduate appointed to a fellowship, who receives the income of the foundation.
Mate
One who customarily associates with another; a companion; an associate; any object which is associated or combined with a similar object.
Fellow
A member of a literary or scientific society; as, a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Were the great duke himself here, and would lift upMy head to fellow pomp amongst his nobles.
Mate
Hence, specifically, a husband or wife; and among the lower animals, one of a pair associated for propagation and the care of their young.
Fellow
To suit with; to pair with; to match.
Mate
A suitable companion; a match; an equal.
Ye knew me once no mateFor you; there sitting where you durst not soar.
Fellow
A boy or man;
That chap is your host
There's a fellow at the door
He's a likable cuss
Mate
An officer in a merchant vessel ranking next below the captain. If there are more than one bearing the title, they are called, respectively, first mate, second mate, third mate, etc. In the navy, a subordinate officer or assistant; as, master's mate; surgeon's mate.
Fellow
A person who is frequently in the company of another;
Drinking companions
Comrades in arms
Mate
See 2d Mat.
Fellow
A person who is member of your class or profession;
The surgeon consulted his colleagues
He sent e-mail to his fellow hackers
Mate
To confuse; to confound.
Fellow
An informal form of address for a man;
Say, fellow, what are you doing?
Hey buster, what's up?
Mate
To checkmate.
Fellow
A man who is the lover of a girl or young woman;
If I'd known he was her boyfriend I wouldn't have asked
Mate
To match; to marry.
If she be mated with an equal husband.
Fellow
A person sharing a particular activity, quality, or condition with someone else.
He's a fellow member of the hiking club.
Mate
To match one's self against; to oppose as equal; to compete with.
There is no passion in the mind of man so weak but it mates and masters the fear of death.
I, . . . in the way of loyalty and truth, . . .Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be.
Fellow
A member of a learned society.
She was named a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences.
Mate
To breed; to bring (animals) together for the purpose of breeding; as, she mated a doberman with a German shepherd.
Mate
To join together; to fit together; to connect; to link; as, he mated a saw blade to a broom handle to cut inaccessible branches.
Mate
To be or become a mate or mates, especially in sexual companionship; as, some birds mate for life; this bird will not mate with that one.
Mate
The officer below the master on a commercial ship
Mate
A fellow member of a team;
It was his first start against his former teammates
Mate
The partner of an animal (especially a sexual partner);
He loved the mare and all her mates
Camels hate leaving their mates
Mate
A person's partner in marriage
Mate
An exact duplicate;
When a match is found an entry is made in the notebook
Mate
South American holly; leaves used in making a drink like tea
Mate
Informal term for a friend of the same sex
Mate
South American tea-like drink made from leaves of a South American holly called mate
Mate
A chess move constituting an inescapable and indefensible attack on the opponent's king
Mate
Make love;
Birds mate in the Spring
Mate
Bring two objects, ideas, or people together;
This fact is coupled to the other one
Matchmaker, can you match my daughter with a nice young man?
The student was paired with a partner for collaboration on the project
Mate
Place an opponent's king under an attack from which it cannot escape and thus ending the game;
Kasparov checkmated his opponent after only a few moves
Common Curiosities
How is fellow traveler used?
"Fellow traveler" can mean someone who shares one's interests or attitudes, not just someone traveling with you.
Can fellow refer to both genders?
Yes, "fellow" can be gender-neutral, especially when referring to someone in a similar position.
Can animals have mates?
Yes, animals can have mates, often referring to a breeding partner.
Is mate predominantly a British term?
While "mate" is commonly used in British English, it's also understood and used in other English-speaking regions.
Is it common to address strangers as mate?
In some cultures, like in the UK or Australia, addressing someone as "mate" is friendly, even if they're strangers.
Is mate always informal?
Mostly, but in nautical terms, it can be a formal title, like "first mate."
Can fellow refer to an academic title?
Yes, a "fellow" can denote someone undertaking advanced research or holding a specific academic title.
Is calling someone mate always friendly?
Mostly, but tone and context matter. It can be sarcastic or confrontational in some contexts.
Can mate mean a spouse?
Yes, "mate" can colloquially refer to a life partner or spouse.
Can fellow be used to describe non-humans?
It's rare but possible, especially in literature or to give human-like qualities, like "a fine fellow" for a dog.
Does fellow have origins in academia?
While it's commonly used in academia, its origins are broader, meaning a person, man, or comrade.
In American English, is fellow common?
"Fellow" is understood and used in American English, though some specific usages, like addressing someone, might be less common than in British English.
Does fellow always indicate camaraderie?
Not always. It can just indicate shared circumstances, without implying a close relationship.
Can mate indicate similarity?
Often, especially when referring to "a pair," indicating two items that match or complement each other.
Can fellow imply respect?
Yes, especially in contexts like "a fellow scholar," it can imply mutual respect.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
