What does "fellow" mean?
A companion; a comrade.
Fellow
/ˈfɛləʊ/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A companion; a comrade.
- Grammar: fellow is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: associate, bloke, chap, colleague.
- Useful contrasts: sole, female, lone.
- Usage evidence: He is a good fellow, to be sure, but he isn't reliable.
How to use "fellow"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "fellow" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "fellow" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "fellow" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "fellow" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "fellow" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "associate" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A companion; a comrade. also, figuratively, in-plural
"But now vnderſtand you, that the kingdome of God is communicated vntoo you by our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, bycauſe he hath purchaced it for you, and made you his brethren and fellowes."
- 2 a man who is the lover of a man or woman wordnet
- 3 An animal which is a member of a breed or species, or a flock, herd, etc. in-plural
"But as ſome of the Oxen in driving, miſſed their fellovvs behind and honing after them, bellovved as their nature is: Hercules chanced to heare them lovv again, and anſvver from out of the cave vvherein they had been beſtovved: vvhereat he turned back, and made haſte thither."
- 4 a boy or man wordnet
- 5 An object which is associated with another object; especially, as part of a set. in-plural
"But five tall barks the vvinds and vvaters toſt / Far from their fellovvs, on th’Ægyptian coaſt."
Show 33 more definitions
- 6 a person who is member of one's class or profession wordnet
- 7 A person or thing comparable in characteristics with another person or thing; especially, as belonging to the same class or group. also, attributive
"my fellow Americans"
- 8 a friend who is frequently in the company of another wordnet
- 9 A person or thing comparable in characteristics with another person or thing; especially, as belonging to the same class or group.; A person with abilities, achievements, skills, etc., equal to those of another person; a thing with characteristics, worth, etc., equal to those of another thing. also, attributive
"to be without fellow to have no fellows"
- 10 an informal form of address for a man wordnet
- 11 A person or thing comparable in characteristics with another person or thing; especially, as belonging to the same class or group.; One in the same condition, or situation of need, as another. also, attributive, in-plural
"[I]rrationall creatures cannot diſtinguiſh betvveene Injury, and Dammage; and therefore as long as they be at eaſe, they are not offended vvith their fellovves: […]"
- 12 a member of a learned society wordnet
- 13 A person or thing comparable in characteristics with another person or thing; especially, as belonging to the same class or group.; An equal in character, power, rank, etc.; a peer. also, archaic, attributive, in-plural
"Are yet tvvo Romans liuing ſuch as theſe? / The laſt of all the Romans, far thee vvell: / It is impoſſible, that euer Rome / Should breed thy fellovv."
- 14 one of a pair wordnet
- 15 A person or thing comparable in characteristics with another person or thing; especially, as belonging to the same class or group.; A person living at the same time, or about the same age as another, especially when in the same field of study or work. also, archaic, attributive, in-plural
- 16 Often in the form Fellow: academic senses.; Originally, one of a group of academics who make up a college or similar educational institution; now, a senior member of a college or similar educational institution involved in teaching, research, and management of the institution.
"In the Parliament novv ſitting at VVeſtminſter (in vvhoſe parallel Convocation nothing of conſequence) the moſt remarkable thing Enacted vvas, the Act made to enable the Provoſt, and Fellovves of Chelsey-Colledge, to dig a trench out of the river Lee, […]"
- 17 Often in the form Fellow: academic senses.; An honorary title bestowed by a college or university upon a distinguished person (often an alumna or alumnus).
- 18 Often in the form Fellow: academic senses.; A (senior) member of a learned or professional society.
"a Fellow of the Royal Society"
- 19 Often in the form Fellow: academic senses.; A (senior) member of a learned or professional society.; A senior member of an Inn of Court. British, historical, specifically
"About the ſame time he vvent to London, became Fellovv of the Middle Temple, and aftervvards tranſlated from Lat. to Engliſh The five Books of Hieronimus Oſorius, containing a diſcourſe of Civil and Chriſtian Nobility, Lond. 1576. qu[arto]."
- 20 Often in the form Fellow: academic senses.; A scholar appointed to a fellowship, that is, a paid academic position held for a certain period which usually requires the scholar to conduct research. British
- 21 Often in the form Fellow: academic senses.; A physician undergoing a fellowship (supervised subspecialty medical training) after having completed a residency (specialty training program). Canada, US
- 22 Often in the form Fellow: academic senses.; A member of a college or university who manages its business interests. US
- 23 Often in the form Fellow: academic senses.; A senior researcher or technician in a corporation, especially one engaged in research and development. US
- 24 A male person; a bloke, a chap, a guy, a man; also, preceded by a modifying word, sometimes with a sense of mild reproach: used as a familiar term of address to a man. informal
"my dear fellow old fellow"
- 25 Usually qualified by an adjective or used in the plural: an individual or person regardless of gender.
"[H]e would sometimes reward her with a hearty slap on the back, and protest that she was a devilish good fellow, a jolly dog, and so forth; all of which compliments Miss Sally would receive in entire good part and with perfect satisfaction."
- 26 An animal or object. broadly, humorous, ironic, often
"In short, this fellow (laying his hand on his purse) who, thou knowest, father, was somewhat lank and low in condition when I set out four months since, is now as round and full as a six-weeks' porker."
- 27 One of a pair of things suited to each other or used together; a counterpart, a mate. archaic
"Let me ſee thy gloue. Looke you, / This the fellovv of it. / It vvas I indeed you promiſed to ſtrike."
- 28 One of a pair of things suited to each other or used together; a counterpart, a mate.; Originally (obsolete), a person's partner (of either sex) in life or marriage; a spouse; also, the mate of an animal; now (dated), a person's male lover or partner; a boyfriend; a husband. archaic
"[N]ovv vvhen they be but heyfers of one year, or tvvo years at the moſt (vvhich is more tollerable) they are let goe to the fellovv and breed."
- 29 Alternative form of fella (“used as a general intensifier”) alt-of, alternative, archaic
- 30 A colleague or partner. obsolete
"Time, and Heat, are Fellovves in many Effects. Heat drieth Bodies, that doe eaſily expire; As Parchment, Leaues, Roots, Clay, &c. And, ſo doth Time or Age arefie; […]"
- 31 A colleague or partner.; An associate in the commission of a crime or other wrongful act; an accomplice. also, figuratively, obsolete, specifically
"For certaine / Either ſome one like us night founder'd here, / Or elſe ſome neighbour vvood man, or at worſt / Some roaving robber calling to his fellovvs."
- 32 A close companion or friend; also, a companion or friend whom one eats or drinks with. obsolete
"If thou be for his profit, he vſeth the: but yf thou haue nothinge, he ſhal forſake the. As longe as thou haſt eny thinge of thine owne, he ſhal be a good felowe with the: Yee he ſhal make the a bare man, and not be ſory for it."
- 33 Followed by of: one who participates in an activity; a participant. obsolete
"For behold me, / A Fellovv of the Royall Bed, vvhich ovve / A Moitie of the Throne: […]"
- 34 A man without good breeding or of lower social status; a common or ignoble man; also, used as a polite term of address to such a person. obsolete
"Gramercie fellovv: there, drinke that for me. Throvves him his Purſe."
- 35 A person's servant or slave. obsolete
"But before al of them were assembled to begin their sports, there came a fellow, who being out of breath (or seeming so to be for haste) with humble hastines told Basilius, that his Mistres, the Lady Cecropia, had sent him to excuse the mischance of her beastes ranging in that dãgerous sort, being happened by the folly of the keeper; […]"
- 36 A worthless person; a churl, a knave; also, used as a term of address to a person regarded as such. derogatory, obsolete
"Iff I were a fleſhly felowe, and a preacher of lyes and tolde them that they might ſyt bebbinge and bollynge, and be droncken: O that were a prophet for this people."
- 37 Synonym of schoolmate (“a student at the same school”). UK, obsolete, slang
"Adrian thought it worth while to try out his new slang. ‘I say, you fellows, here's a rum go. Old Biffo was jolly odd this morning. He gave me a lot of pi-jaw about slacking and then invited me to tea. No rotting! He did really.’"
- 38 A black man. Southern-US, derogatory, obsolete
Verb
- 1 To address (someone) as "fellow", especially in an insulting manner (see noun sense 10.6). archaic, transitive
"'Don't Fellovv me,' ſaid the Bailiff, 'I am as good a Fellovv as yourſelf, I believe, tho' you have that Ribbond in your Hat there.'"
- 2 To equal (someone or something); also, to cause or find someone or something to be equal to (some other person or thing). archaic, poetic, transitive
"For my part, let me rather affect and applaud the harmleſs humor of that miſ-called Saint, vvho in an indiſcreet humility called every VVoolf his brother, and every Sheep, yea, every Ant his ſiſter, fellovving himſelf vvith every thing that had life in it, as vvell as himſelf; […]"
- 3 To pair or suit (someone or something) with some other person or thing; also, to pair or suit someone or something with (some other person or thing); to arrange (things) in pairs. obsolete, transitive
- 4 Followed by to or with: to associate or join (oneself, someone, or something) with some other person or thing in companionship or a partnership. also, obsolete, reflexive, transitive
"[A] man by nature is rather deſirous to fellow him ſelfe to another and ſo to liue in couple, than to adherd^([sic – meaning adhere?]) himſelfe with many."
- 5 Followed by to or with: to cause or portray (someone or something) to be equal to some other person or thing. obsolete, reflexive, sometimes, transitive
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 To associate or go together with (someone or something); to become a partner of (someone or something). obsolete, poetic, transitive
"Affection? thy Intention ſtabs the Center. / Thou do'ſt make poſſible things not ſo held, / Communicat'ſt vvith Dreames (hovv can this be?) / VVith vvhat's vnreall: thou coactiue art, / And fellow'ſt nothing."
- 7 Followed by with: to associate or join with a person or thing in companionship or a partnership. intransitive, obsolete, poetic
"VVhere is the gentleman? 't vvas for his ſake / I vvould have lien vvith you, vvo'd it vvere as lavvfull to fellovv nights vvith him."
Example
"He is a good fellow, to be sure, but he isn't reliable."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "fellow"?
Common synonyms include: associate, bloke, chap, colleague, companion, abecedarian.
How do you use "fellow" in a sentence?
He is a good fellow, to be sure, but he isn't reliable.
How do you pronounce "fellow"?
Pronounced /ˈfɛləʊ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English felowe, Early Middle English felage (“companion, good friend”) from Old English fēolaga, from Old Norse félagi, derived from félag (“joint venture; partnership”, literally “a laying together of property”), from fé (“livestock, property; money”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *peḱ- (“livestock; wealth”)) + lag (“something laid down; right position; arrangement; companionship, fellowship; partnership”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *legʰ- (“to lie down”)). Cognates * Old Norse filaga, felaka (“partner”, accusative singular), from which the other terms are derived: * Danish fælle (“companion”) * Faroese felagi (“member; partner”) * Icelandic félagi (“companion, comrade, fellow; member; partner”) * Norwegian felle (“companion”) * Old Swedish fälaghi (modern Swedish felaga, felaha (“partner”, accusative singular)) * Scots falow, fallow, follow (“associate, companion, comrade”)
Etymology 2
From Middle English felauen, felow (“to join (someone) in companionship, friendship, partnership, etc.”) [and other forms], from felowe, felau, felawe (noun): see etymology 1.