messmate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, historical, military, nautical
Quick answer
What does “messmate” mean?
A person who shares meals or living quarters with another, especially in a communal setting like the military, a boarding school, or a ship.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who shares meals or living quarters with another, especially in a communal setting like the military, a boarding school, or a ship.
A close companion or associate with whom one shares daily domestic life, often implying camaraderie born from shared routines and conditions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in British English due to stronger historical military/boarding school traditions, but understood and used similarly in American English in relevant contexts (e.g., naval, military academies).
Connotations
Connotes tradition, discipline, and shared experience within a structured institution. Can have an old-fashioned or niche feel.
Frequency
Low frequency in general usage; primarily found in historical texts, military/naval narratives, and literature about boarding schools.
Grammar
How to Use “messmate” in a Sentence
[Person A] was messmates with [Person B] in [Institution].[Person A] and [Person B] were messmates.He served as a messmate to the young officer.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “messmate” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- His old naval messmate visited him after fifty years.
- At boarding school, your messmate was often your closest confidant.
- The officers dined with their assigned messmates.
American English
- He wrote fondly of his messmates from West Point.
- The sergeant introduced the new recruit to his messmates.
- They had been messmates aboard the USS Constitution.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or military studies discussing communal living.
Everyday
Extremely rare; 'housemate', 'flatmate', or 'roommate' are used instead.
Technical
Specific term within military/naval jargon and historical reenactment communities.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “messmate”
- Using it to mean 'a messy friend' or 'someone you live with in a disordered flat'.
- Using it in modern, informal co-living situations where 'flatmate' is appropriate.
- Confusing it with 'classmate' or 'workmate'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not at all. The 'mess' in messmate refers to the older meaning of a group of people who eat together regularly, or the place where they eat (e.g., an officers' mess). It relates to dining, not disorder.
It would sound very odd and old-fashioned. 'Messmate' is strongly associated with structured institutions like the military, boarding schools, or ships. For university, 'roommate', 'flatmate', or 'housemate' are the standard terms.
A 'comrade' is a broader term for a companion who shares activities or ideals, often in political or military contexts. A 'messmate' is a specific type of comrade with whom one shares meals and living quarters within an institutional framework.
No, it is quite rare in everyday modern English. It persists mainly in historical writing, within traditional military/naval circles, and in literature set in boarding schools or on sailing ships.
A person who shares meals or living quarters with another, especially in a communal setting like the military, a boarding school, or a ship.
Messmate is usually formal, historical, military, nautical in register.
Messmate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛsmeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛsmeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To share a mess with someone”
- “As thick as messmates (archaic, implying close friendship)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MATE you share a MESS hall with. It's not about a messy room, but about the place where you eat together.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHARED SUSTENANCE IS CAMARADERIE; THE MESS (DINING GROUP) AS A MICROCOSM OF COMMUNITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is the term 'messmate' MOST appropriately used?