MATEY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does matey mean? 

• MATEY (adjective)
  The adjective MATEY has 1 sense:

1. (used colloquially) having the relationship of friends or pals

  Familiarity information: MATEY used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MATEY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(used colloquially) having the relationship of friends or pals

Synonyms:

chummy; matey; pally; palsy-walsy

Similar:

friendly (characteristic of or befitting a friend)

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)

Derivation:

mate (informal term for a friend of the same sex)

 Context examples 

I never wasted good money of mine, nor lost it neither; and I'll trick 'em again. I'm not afraid on 'em. I'll shake out another reef, matey, and daddle 'em again.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

And now you see, mate, I'm pretty low, and deserted by all; and Jim, you'll bring me one noggin of rum, now, won't you, matey?

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Here you, matey, he cried to the man who trundled the barrow; bring up alongside and help up my chest.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“Aye, aye,” said he, “that's some better, sure enough. And now, matey, did that doctor say how long I was to lie here in this old berth?”

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)