matey

¹

[ mey-tee ]

noun

, Chiefly British Informal.

, plural mate·ys.

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

Derived Forms

• ˈmateyness, noun

Other Words From

• matey·ness mati·ness 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

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

From Literature

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

From BBC

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

From 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.’

From Washington Post

He can be matey or imperious as the fancy takes him.

From Golf Digest