matey

¹

[mey-tee]

noun

Chiefly British Informal.

plural

mateys 

1. comrade; chum; buddy.

matey

²

[mey-tee]

adjective

Chiefly British Informal.

1. sociable; friendly.

   a matey chat.

matey

/ ˈmeɪtɪ /

adjective

1. friendly or intimate; on good terms

noun

1. friend or fellow: usually used in direct address

Other Word Forms

• mateyness noun
• matiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of matey¹

First recorded in 1825–35; mate ¹ + -y ²

Origin of matey²

First recorded in 1910–15; mate ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

“Ahoy, matey!” it croaked, blinking at the audience.

Read more on Literature

Everyone says “Aye, matey,” and just like that, I’m president of a brand-new club.

Read more on Literature

It doesn't match his public persona of the matey, personable, empathetic royal.

Read more on BBC

“You don’t get matey with the Queen,” recalled former British prime minister Tony Blair.

Read more on Washington Post

Former prime minister Tony Blair wrote in his memoirs, too, that she might be “matey with you, but don’t try to reciprocate or you get ‘The Look.’

Read more on Washington Post