How Do You Spell MATE?

Pronunciation: [mˈe͡ɪt] (IPA)

The word "mate" is spelled with the letters m-a-t-e, and is pronounced /meɪt/ according to the International Phonetic Alphabet. The first sound, /m/, is a voiced bilabial nasal, indicating that the lips come together to produce the sound. The second sound, /eɪ/, is a diphthong that is made up of an open front unrounded vowel followed by a glide, indicating a rising sound. The final sound, /t/, is an unvoiced alveolar stop, indicating that the sound is made by stopping the airflow with the tongue behind the teeth.

MATE Meaning and Definition

  1. Mate (noun):

    1. A close friend or companion; someone with whom you have a strong bond of friendship, trust, and camaraderie. Usually used informally or colloquially to refer to a person. "Steve and John have been best mates since childhood, always supporting each other through thick and thin."

    2. A term used, particularly in British English, to refer to a spouse, partner, or significant other. Often used interchangeably with the word "partner." "Karen introduced her mate, Peter, to the rest of the group at the party."

    3. In chess, a term used to refer to one of the pieces, characterized by its ability to move in any direction along a straight line. Usually used in combination with the specific piece, such as "bishop mate" or "rook mate."

    4. In animal behavior, particularly birds and certain mammals, a partner with whom an individual forms a long-term bond, often for the purpose of reproduction and raising offspring. "The male swan diligently brings food to its mate during nesting season."

    5. A term used in Australian English, particularly in the context of informal conversation, to address someone in a friendly and informal manner. Equivalent to "buddy," "pal," or "friend." "G'day, mate! How's it going?"

    Etymology: The word "mate" originated from Middle Low German "gemate," meaning a companion or an equal. It was later absorbed into the English language via Old English "gemǣte," which also connotes a fitting partner or match.

  2. Paraguay tea, the dried leaves of Ilex paraguayensis and other species of Ilex, shrubs growing in Paraguay and Brazil; they contain caffeine and tannin, and are used as a substitute for tea, as a diuretic and diaphoretic, and for the relief of headache.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. • A companion; an associate; one who associates with one and eats at the same table, sails in the same ship, or is employed at the same place; an officer of a ship; the male or female of two animals which associate for the propagation of their species.
    • To match; to marry; to equal, or be equal to.
    • In the game of chess, the state of the king when he cannot escape, called checkmate-see under check.
    • The leaves of a tree used in Paraguay and S. Amer. as tea; Paraguay tea.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for MATE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for MATE

Etymology of MATE

The word "mate" has several etymological origins depending on its different meanings. Here are the most common origins:

1. As a noun meaning a friend or companion:

- It originated from the Middle Low German word "māt" or "māte", which means "comrade" or "mate". It entered the English language during the late 14th century.

2. As a noun meaning a marriage partner or spouse:

- It is derived from the Middle Low German word "gemate" or "gimate", which means "a companion in marriage" or "bride/bridegroom". It came into English in the late 13th century.

3. As a verb meaning to join as a partner or copulate:

- This usage comes from the Middle Low German word "gematen", which means "to match" or "make a companion".

Idioms with the word MATE

  • mate with The idiom "mate with" refers to the act of two animals coming together to reproduce or procreate. It is specifically used to describe the sexual union or pairing of animals, often for the purpose of producing offspring.
  • mate for life The idiom "mate for life" refers to a strong commitment or bond between two individuals, usually in the context of a romantic relationship. It suggests that these two individuals are deeply connected and devoted to each other, intending to stay together for the rest of their lives.
  • label mate The term "label mate" refers to an artist or band who shares the same record label with another artist or band. It is used to describe the relationship between two artists who are signed to the same label, often indicating that they have a professional connection and may have their music released and promoted by the same company.
  • mate with an animal
  • mate with sm
  • mate sm with sm

Similar spelling words for MATE

Plural form of MATE is MATES

Conjugate verb Mate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have mated
you would have mated
he/she/it would have mated
we would have mated
they would have mated
I would have mate
you would have mate
he/she/it would have mate
we would have mate
they would have mate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been mating
you would have been mating
he/she/it would have been mating
we would have been mating
they would have been mating

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would mate
you would mate
he/she/it would mate
we would mate
they would mate

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be mating
you would be mating
he/she/it would be mating
we would be mating
they would be mating

FUTURE

I will mate
you will mate
he/she/it will mate
we will mate
they will mate

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be mating
you will be mating
he/she/it will be mating
we will be mating
they will be mating

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have mated
you will have mated
he/she/it will have mated
we will have mated
they will have mated

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been mating
you will have been mating
he/she/it will have been mating
we will have been mating
they will have been mating

IMPERATIVE

you mate
we let´s mate

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to mate

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was mating
you were mating
he/she/it was mating
we were mating
they were mating

PAST PARTICIPLE

mated

PAST PERFECT

I had mated
you had mated
he/she/it had mated
we had mated
they had mated

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been mating
you had been mating
he/she/it had been mating
we had been mating
they had been mating

PRESENT

I mate
you mate
he/she/it mates
we mate
they mate

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am mating
you are mating
he/she/it is mating
we are mating
they are mating

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

mating

PRESENT PERFECT

I have mated
you have mated
he/she/it has mated
we have mated
they have mated

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been mating
you have been mating
he/she/it has been mating
we have been mating
they have been mating

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it mate

SIMPLE PAST

I mated
you mated
he/she/it mated
we mated
they mated

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