agemate
UncommonFormal / Academic / Technical
Definition
Meaning
A person who is the same age as another person.
A peer or contemporary, typically of the same age cohort, often found in shared contexts like school, university, or a specific community. The term emphasizes chronological equality rather than just peer status.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Agemate" is used primarily in sociological, anthropological, and psychological contexts. It is more specific than "peer," which can refer to equals in status, ability, or age. It's a compound noun whose meaning is transparent from its parts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally uncommon in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral and descriptive, though slightly clinical or academic in tone.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general usage. More likely to be encountered in specialized academic writing in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N + of + (possessive) (e.g., an agemate of his)N + from + group (e.g., an agemate from her class)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in developmental psychology, education, and sociology research to specify age-matched control groups or study peer influence (e.g., 'The study observed conflict resolution strategies among agemates.').
Everyday
Extremely rare. Most speakers would use "friend my age," "someone my age," or simply "peer."
Technical
Used in scientific literature to precisely denote individuals of the same age, often in animal or human developmental studies.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My best friend is also my agemate.
- The children played with their agemates.
- He felt more comfortable discussing the problem with an agemate than with an adult.
- In the study, toddlers interacted more with familiar agemates.
- The psychologist noted that social development is heavily influenced by interactions with agemates during adolescence.
- Researchers compared the test scores of the subjects with those of their agemates.
- The longitudinal study controlled for socioeconomic factors by pairing each participant with an agemate from a similar background.
- Anthropological theories often examine the rites of passage performed within cohorts of agemates.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'AGE' + 'MATE' (friend). It's a friend or associate who matches your AGE.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEERS ARE CO-TRAVELLERS (ON THE ROAD OF LIFE)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "одногодка" or "ровесник," which are common, everyday words. "Agemate" is a formal, low-frequency term. Direct translation into Russian would sound unnaturally technical in casual conversation.
- Not equivalent to "товарищ" (comrade) or "сверстник" in terms of register.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in casual conversation where 'friend,' 'peer,' or 'someone my age' is more natural.
- Misspelling as 'agemade' or 'age mate' (should be one word or hyphenated: age-mate).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'agemate' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an uncommon, formal word used mostly in academic or technical writing.
'Peer' is a broader term meaning an equal in status, ability, or age. 'Agemate' is more specific, referring strictly to someone of the same age.
It would sound very formal and unusual. It's better to use phrases like 'someone my/your age' or 'a friend from my year.'
It's pronounced /ˈeɪdʒ.meɪt/ (AYJ-mayt), with the stress on the first syllable.