colleague
High (C1)Neutral to Formal. Widely used in all professional contexts; rare in very casual settings among close friends.
Definition
Meaning
A person with whom one works, typically in a profession, business, or organisation.
A person who shares a common professional affiliation or membership in a learned society, institution, or academic discipline, even if direct work collaboration does not occur.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a relationship of shared professional status, environment, or purpose. Can denote a sense of solidarity and mutual respect. Not inherently hierarchical (can refer to peers, superiors, or subordinates).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic or usage differences. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in American casual speech, where 'coworker' is a common alternative. In British English, 'colleague' is the default term across most registers.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties. 'Coworker' is more frequent in US everyday speech, while 'colleague' remains dominant in UK professional contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
colleague of mine/yours/hiscolleague at [company/department]colleague from [company/field]colleague and IVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A colleague in arms (figurative, based on 'comrade in arms')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The default term for someone you work with in any professional capacity. 'I have a meeting with colleagues from the marketing department.'
Academic
Commonly used for other researchers, lecturers, or professionals in the same field. 'I discussed the theory with a colleague at the conference.'
Everyday
Used, but 'someone from work' or 'coworker' (US) might be more casual. 'I'm going for a drink with a few colleagues after work.'
Technical
Used in professional and institutional contexts without technical specificity.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My colleague helps me with my work.
- She is a nice colleague.
- I have lunch with my colleagues.
- I'm going to ask my colleague for advice on this project.
- He introduced me to a colleague from the London office.
- We discussed the problem with our senior colleague.
- A former colleague of mine has just started a competing business.
- The research was conducted in collaboration with colleagues from three European universities.
- Managing conflict between close colleagues requires sensitivity and clear communication.
- Despite being professional colleagues for years, they had never socialised outside of work events.
- Her seminal paper was praised by colleagues across the discipline as a groundbreaking contribution.
- The allegations created an irreparable rift between the two erstwhile colleagues.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'COLLEGE' where you work with fellow students. A COLLEAGUE is like a 'work college' – someone you work with in your professional 'college' or field.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROFESSIONAL LIFE IS A SHARED JOURNEY / TEAM SPORT (A colleague is a fellow traveller or teammate on a professional path).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'коллега' for every work context. Russian 'коллега' can be used more broadly for any peer in a field, while English 'colleague' implies a stronger shared workplace or direct professional connection. English 'coworker' is often a closer match for 'сотрудник'.
- Do not use 'colleague' for classmates – use 'fellow student' or 'classmate'.
Common Mistakes
- Pronunciation: Mispronouncing as /kəˈliːɡ/. The stress is always on the first syllable: /ˈkɒliːɡ/.
- Spelling: Confusing with 'college'.
- Usage: Using for friends who are not work-related (e.g., 'my tennis colleague' is incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'colleague' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Colleague' is broader and can include anyone in your profession or organisation. 'Coworker' typically implies someone you work alongside in the same physical or immediate team environment. 'Colleague' can feel slightly more formal or respectful.
Yes, it is acceptable. 'Colleague' focuses on shared professional affiliation rather than hierarchy. You can say 'my boss and colleagues' or refer to your boss as 'a senior colleague'.
Yes, it is considered redundant by many style guides because a colleague is inherently work-related. However, the collocation 'work colleague' is very common in everyday speech for emphasis or clarity.
Stress the first syllable: KOL-eeg. The second syllable rhymes with 'league'. Common mispronunciations like 'kuh-LEEG' should be avoided.
Collections
Part of a collection
Work and Jobs
A2 · 49 words · Jobs, professions and the world of work.
Workplace Vocabulary
B1 · 48 words · Professional language for the working environment.