mateship: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-medium (highly frequent and culturally significant in Australian English, low in other varieties)Informal, semi-formal (can be used in formal rhetoric about national identity)
Quick answer
What does “mateship” mean?
The bond of friendship, fellowship, and solidarity between equals, often implying mutual loyalty and support, especially in difficult circumstances.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The bond of friendship, fellowship, and solidarity between equals, often implying mutual loyalty and support, especially in difficult circumstances.
A highly valued cultural concept, particularly in Australia and New Zealand, that goes beyond simple friendship to embody an ideal of egalitarian loyalty, unconditional assistance, and shared experience, often seen as a foundational national value.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Used and understood in British English, but not a core cultural concept. Rare in American English, where 'camaraderie' or 'brotherhood' are more typical.
Connotations
In British English, connotations are of friendship or companionship. In Australian English, carries deep cultural, historical, and nationalistic weight.
Frequency
Very high in Australian English; occasional in British English; rare and potentially misunderstood in American English without context.
Grammar
How to Use “mateship” in a Sentence
mateship between [people/group]the mateship of [group/experience]a sense of mateship[Verb: show, demonstrate, value] mateshipVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in company culture statements emphasizing teamwork, but 'collegiality' or 'team spirit' is more common.
Academic
Used in cultural studies, history, sociology, and political discourse analyzing Australian/New Zealand identity and values.
Everyday
Common in Australian and New Zealand speech, especially in contexts recalling shared hardship, sport, or national pride.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mateship”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mateship”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mateship”
- Using it in non-Australasian contexts without explanation.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a mateship').
- Confusing it with casual 'friendship' and missing the elements of duty and sacrifice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it implies a stronger, more binding bond of loyalty, equality, and unconditional support, often forged or tested in adversity. Friendship can be casual; mateship implies duty.
Traditionally, the concept was male-dominated, linked to soldiers and pioneers. In modern usage, it is increasingly applied to all genders, though its historical masculine roots remain acknowledged.
It is understandable but sounds foreign. Americans would more naturally use 'camaraderie', 'brotherhood', or 'solidarity' depending on the context.
They are very close synonyms. 'Comradeship' often has a political or military association (e.g., communist comrades, comrades-in-arms). 'Mateship' is more egalitarian, informal, and culturally specific to Australia/NZ.
The bond of friendship, fellowship, and solidarity between equals, often implying mutual loyalty and support, especially in difficult circumstances.
Mateship is usually informal, semi-formal (can be used in formal rhetoric about national identity) in register.
Mateship: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmeɪtʃɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmeɪtˌʃɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “True Blue mateship (Aust.), A fair go and mateship (Aust.), The ANZAC spirit of mateship”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MATE'S SHIP' – a ship where all the mates (friends) are together, weathering storms side by side.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOLIDARITY IS A BOND / LOYALTY IS A SHARED BURDEN
Practice
Quiz
In which national context does 'mateship' carry the strongest cultural and historical connotations?