fellow

noun

fel·​low ˈfe-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce fellow (audio)
often attributive
Synonyms of fellownext
1
: comrade, associate
was eager to rejoin his fellows
2
a
: an equal in rank, power, or character : peer
local police and their fellows in other cities
discussions among a group of fellows from the nearby Los Alamos National LaboratoryRoger Lewin
b
: one of a pair : mate
… walked back to the house, one hand clasping its fellowsSusan Warner
3
: a member of a group having common characteristics
specifically : a member of an incorporated literary or scientific society
a fellow of the American College of Surgeons
4
a
obsolete : a person of one of the lower social classes
b
archaic : a worthless man or boy
c
: man, boy
He seems like a fine fellow.
d
: boyfriend, beau
She and her fellow went to the movies.
5
: an incorporated member of a college or collegiate foundation especially in a British university
6
: a person appointed to a position granting a stipend and allowing for advanced study or research

Did you know?

The Old Norse word for a partner, felagi, means literally “one who puts down property.” Such people were those who laid together their property for some common purpose. Old English borrowed felagi from Old Norse and called a partner a feolaga. This word has come down to us, through several centuries and the development of a number of senses, as modern English fellow. Perhaps its most common use today is its very general one, in which it is applied to any boy or man.

Examples of fellow in a Sentence

fellows and girls at a party a young fellow like you Your son's a bright little fellow. She's found herself a new fellow. a fellow of the American College of Surgeons a Fellow of the Royal Society
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Puerto Rico is strategically located, and has the benefit of being US territory, whereas other key US bases in Latin America are situated in countries with less reliable governments, such as Cuba, said Will Freeman, fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026 Stephen Roach, an economist and senior fellow at Yale Law School, said he was not invited this year, after 25 years of attending the event. Eunice Yoon,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026 The first ten curatorial fellows to participate in the program include Carine Harmand, who will be curating exhibitions for the reopening of Tate Liverpool in 2027. News Desk, Artforum, 23 Mar. 2026 An international talent development program that supports non-professional screenwriters, fellows in the program receive support, resources and networking opportunities from the Academy. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fellow

Word History

Etymology

Middle English felawe, from Old English fēolaga, from Old Norse fēlagi, from fēlag partnership, from cattle, money + lag act of laying

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fellow was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fellow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fellow. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

fellow

1 of 2 noun
fel·​low
ˈfel-ō
1
2
a
: an equal in rank, power, or character : peer
b
: one of a pair : mate
3
: a person holding any of various positions at a university
4
a
: a male person
5
: a person granted funds for advanced study

fellow

2 of 2 adjective
: being a companion, mate, or associate

Medical Definition

fellow

noun
fel·​low
ˈfel-(ˌ)ō, -ə(-w)
: a young physician who has completed training as an intern and resident and has been granted a stipend and position allowing him or her to do further study or research in a specialty

More from Merriam-Webster on fellow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster