shipmate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Military, Nautical, Historical. Can be used informally or affectionately among sailors.
Quick answer
What does “shipmate” mean?
A person who serves on the same ship as another, especially a fellow sailor or crew member.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who serves on the same ship as another, especially a fellow sailor or crew member.
By extension, a comrade, a fellow member of a shared endeavour, especially one involving shared hardship or close quarters.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. More likely to be heard in British English due to stronger historical naval tradition.
Connotations
Slightly more romantic/nostalgic in British English; retains a slightly more technical/military connotation in American English.
Frequency
Low frequency in both. Slightly higher in contexts involving navies, maritime history, or nautical fiction.
Grammar
How to Use “shipmate” in a Sentence
[be/become] shipmates (with X)X's shipmateshipmate from Y (ship/voyage)shipmate of ZVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically for a close colleague on a long-term, challenging project.
Academic
Used in historical, naval, or literary studies discussing maritime culture.
Everyday
Very rare, except among current or former sailors.
Technical
Standard term in nautical and naval contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shipmate”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shipmate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shipmate”
- Using it for any colleague on land (overextension). Confusing it with 'shipping mate' (romantic partner).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. By definition, a shipmate serves on the *same* ship.
No. It is a gender-neutral term for any sailor serving on the same ship as another.
'Shipmate' emphasizes the shared experience and often personal bond, with a historical/nautical flavour. 'Crewmate' is more neutral and modern, applicable to any team operating a vehicle (spaceship, plane, ship).
Typically, no. It implies being part of the working crew or military personnel aboard, not a passenger. Using it for fellow passengers would be a humorous or metaphorical extension.
A person who serves on the same ship as another, especially a fellow sailor or crew member.
Shipmate is usually formal, military, nautical, historical. can be used informally or affectionately among sailors. in register.
Shipmate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃɪpmeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃɪpmeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Shipmates to the end.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SHIP + a MATE (friend). A friend you have on a ship.
Conceptual Metaphor
The ship is a shared home; the crew is a family. A shipmate is like a sibling in a seafaring family.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'shipmate' be LEAST appropriate?