matey¹

[mey-tee]

See more synonyms for matey on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural mate·ys. Chiefly British Informal.

comrade; chum; buddy.

Origin of matey¹

First recorded in 1825–35; mate¹ + -y²

matey²

[mey-tee]

adjective Chiefly British Informal.

sociable; friendly: a matey chat.

Origin of matey²

First recorded in 1910–15; mate¹ + -y¹

Related formsmate·y·ness, mat·i·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for matey

Historical Examples

"Well, come along, matey," said the younger of the two to his companion.
Australia Revenged
Boomerang
You take a hint, matey, and don't be about Liverpool to-night, or until she's gone.
The Light of Scarthey
Egerton Castle
Cards bored him to death, but he liked to be matey with the youngsters.
Nights in London
Thomas Burke
“My hye, matey, you do seem hungry,” said one of the others.
Blue Jackets
George Manville Fenn
I said it was the wa— tlat tlat tlat—Oh, I say, matey, I am thirsty.
Fire Island
G. Manville Fenn

British Dictionary definitions for matey

matey

maty

British informal

adjective

friendly or intimate; on good terms

noun

friend or fellow: usually used in direct address

Derived Formsmateyness or matiness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for matey

n.

1833, diminutive of mate (n.) in its "male friend" sense + -y (3).

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matey2

Origin of matey2

Related Words

Examples from the Web for matey

Historical Examples

"Well, come along, matey," said the younger of the two to his companion.

You take a hint, matey, and don't be about Liverpool to-night, or until she's gone.

Cards bored him to death, but he liked to be matey with the youngsters.

“My hye, matey, you do seem hungry,” said one of the others.

I said it was the wa— tlat tlat tlat—Oh, I say, matey, I am thirsty.