comrade in arms: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Literary, Military
Quick answer
What does “comrade in arms” mean?
A fellow soldier or military colleague with whom one has shared the experience of combat or military service.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fellow soldier or military colleague with whom one has shared the experience of combat or military service.
A person with whom one has shared a difficult, dangerous, or challenging experience, creating a strong bond of loyalty and mutual support; can extend to any close ally in a struggle or demanding endeavor.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. 'Comrade' alone has stronger historical/political connotations (especially socialist/communist) in both varieties, but 'comrade in arms' is insulated from this by its specific military context.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes solidarity, shared sacrifice, and an unbreakable bond. It may sound slightly archaic or literary in everyday use.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both UK and US English. More likely found in historical accounts, literature, memoirs, and formal speeches than in casual conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “comrade in arms” in a Sentence
[Subject] considers [Object] a comrade in arms.[Subject] fought alongside his comrade in arms.They were comrades in arms during [Conflict/Event].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “comrade in arms” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They were comraded in arms during the Falklands conflict.
- (Note: 'comrade' as a verb is obsolete; this structure is not used.)
American English
- (No standard verbal use for 'comrade in arms'.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- Their comrade-in-arms bond was unbreakable. (Hyphenated when used attributively)
- He gave a speech honouring his comrade-in-arms relationship with the general.
American English
- Their comrade-in-arms bond was unbreakable.
- He gave a speech honoring his comrade-in-arms relationship with the general.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically for a close colleague during an extremely difficult corporate project or 'battle' (e.g., a takeover fight).
Academic
Used in historical, political science, or literary studies when discussing military narratives, memoirs, or concepts of camaraderie.
Everyday
Very rare. Would sound formal or dramatic. More likely in stories about past military service.
Technical
Standard term in military history and certain veteran contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “comrade in arms”
- Using 'comrade' informally to mean 'friend' (sounds politically odd).
- Misspelling as 'comrade in arm' (always plural 'arms').
- Overusing in non-military contexts where 'close colleague' or 'ally' would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. Its core meaning is military. However, it is used metaphorically for people who have shared any intensely difficult or dangerous struggle (e.g., activists, explorers, crisis responders).
'Comrade' alone is a general term for a companion or associate, but it is heavily associated with socialist/communist political movements. 'Comrade in arms' is specific to shared military (or similarly arduous) experience and avoids most of the political baggage.
It is always 'comrade in arms' (plural). The 'arms' refers to weapons/military service, not physical limbs.
Yes, absolutely. While historically male-dominated contexts produced the phrase, it applies equally to female soldiers and allies. The phrase itself is gender-neutral.
A fellow soldier or military colleague with whom one has shared the experience of combat or military service.
Comrade in arms is usually formal, literary, military in register.
Comrade in arms: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒm.reɪd ɪn ɑːmz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːm.ræd ɪn ɑːrmz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “brother-in-arms (near synonym)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of two soldiers standing back-to-back, ARMS (weapons) ready, COMRADES trusting each other completely in the heat of battle.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A BATTLE / A DIFFICULT ENDEAVOR IS WAR. A close collaborator in such an endeavor is a COMRADE IN ARMS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'comrade in arms' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?