classmate

American  

[klas-meyt, klahs-] / ˈklæsˌmeɪt, ˈklɑs- /

noun

1. a member of the same class at a school or college.

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classmate British  

/ ˈklɑːsˌmeɪt /

noun

1. a friend or contemporary of the same class in a school, college, etc

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Etymology

Origin of classmate

An Americanism dating back to 1705–15; class + mate ¹

Explanation

Your classmate is someone who goes to school with you. It's hard to believe when you first start college that some of your classmates will become your very best friends. Your school friends are your classmates, and so are the fellow students you barely know at all. In a small class, you get to know most of your classmates fairly well, while in a large lecture even your teacher might not know all your classmates' names. The word dates from the 18th century, a combination of class, from the Latin classis, "class or division," and mate, "fellow or comrade."

Example Sentences

But classmate Felix is more relaxed: "You'd get used to it and find other things to do, so I don't think I would really mind."

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

My college classmate Jakob Anders, who grew up in a rich family that talked about these things, had introduced me to them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

It was those drawings that caught the eye of Geisel's classmate, and fellow American, Helen Palmer.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

Marko Dobrasinovic, 24, who made the trek from Chicago to audition, bumped into an old high school classmate, Alyssa Frey, while in line to check in.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

He also wrote Elsie Lavender, a Gary High School classmate who had moved on her own to Florida, to come back to West Virginia and marry him.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Related Words

• acquaintance
• bride
• buddy
• companion
• comrade
• coworker
• playmate
• roommate
• schoolmate
• spouse