playmate

[pley-meyt]

noun

1. a companion, especially of a child, in play or recreation.

2. Informal.,  a social companion or lover; girlfriend or boyfriend.

   He showed up at the nightclub with his new playmate.

playmate

/ ˈpleɪˌmeɪt /

noun

1. a friend or partner in play or recreation

   childhood playmates

Word History and Origins

Origin of playmate¹

First recorded in 1635–45; play + mate ¹

Example Sentences

A brown bear who underwent pioneering, life-saving brain surgery in October has rejoined his playmates after more than a year apart.

From BBC

And speaking of powerful unelected people, the name Elon Musk comes to mind, and Trump’s Oval Office playmate has his own beef with the Coastal Commission.

From Los Angeles Times

The Times took a look at some of these twisty stories where lovers and friends seek soulmates and playmates in locales that stretch from 11th century Italy to an alternative future.

From Los Angeles Times

The clip highlighted an obvious imbalance between a male figure – disingenuously portrayed as a fellow playmate – in a position of power to a teenage girl.

From Salon

But in the meantime, mother chimps continue to be their offspring's primary playmate, tickling, chasing, playing 'airplane'.

From Science Daily