fellow

noun, often attributive fel·low \ ˈfe-(ˌ)lō \

Definition of fellow

1 :comrade, associate

was eager to rejoin his fellows

2 a :an equal in rank, power, or character :peer

discussions among a group of fellows from the nearby Los Alamos National Laboratory
—Roger Lewin

b :one of a pair :mate

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

See fellow defined for English-language learners

See fellow defined for kids

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 of fellow from the Web

Trump's pardon, issued without consulting the Justice Department, raised a storm of protest over the weekend, including from some fellow Republicans, and threatens to become a stain on this president's legacy.

— philip rucker and ellen nakashima, chicagotribune.com, "Trump asked Sessions about closing case against Arpaio, an ally since 'birtherism'," 26 Aug. 2017
Michelle Mason, senior associate dean of the program, anticipates that there will eventually be six to eight in-house fellows providing services to around 360 to 480 clients each year.

— sydney pereira, miamiherald, "Many families struggle to afford a lawyer. This FIU program could help.," 25 Aug. 2017
Shannon O'Neil, senior fellow for Latin American studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, discusses deterioration in Venezuela and possibility of a refugee crisis.

— Bloomberg.com, "CFR’s O'Neil Says Venezuela May Spur Refugee Crisis," 24 Aug. 2017
Johnson recruited Marshall Faulk, a fellow New Orleans product, to SDSU.

— tom krasovic, sandiegouniontribune.com, "NFL braintrust sees SDSU on good path," 21 Aug. 2017
Best of luck to Yousafzai and to the fellow first-year students who will be in her classes.

— sarah spellings, The Cut, "Malala Yousafzai Announces She Will Attend Oxford," 17 Aug. 2017
The present Duke of Gloucester is earnest and cozy (picture a British Warren Buffett), a bookish fellow who trained as an architect and has none of his late brother’s poetic, Bloomsbury style.

— david netto, Town & Country, "The Royal History Behind Hip-Hop's Obsession with Matte Black Cars," 16 Aug. 2017
Of all of the notables who share an Aug. 13 birthday, a fellow local notable Leo ranks as one of my personal favorites.

— philip potempa, Post-Tribune, "Birthday honor includes some famous shared names," 11 Aug. 2017
Bridgeford and five fellow visionaries spent several months planning and holding open meetings.

— donna owens, Essence.com, "A 'Ceasefire' In Baltimore May Launch A Movement To End Gun Violence In American Cities," 10 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fellow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of fellow

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

fellow Synonyms

Synonyms

beau, boy, boyfriend, man, old man, swain

Related Words

admirer, crush, steady; gallant, suitor, wooer; beloved, darling, dear, favorite, flame, honey, love, lover, significant other, soul mate, spark, sparker, squeeze [slang], sweet, sweetheart, sweetie, sweetie pie, valentine; fancy man, gigolo; date, escort; groom, husband; fiancé, intended

Near Antonyms

antipode, antithesis, contrary, converse, opposite, reverse

FELLOW Defined for English Language Learners

fellow

noun

Definition of fellow for English Language Learners

: a male person : a boy or man
: a male companion of a girl or woman
: a member of a group of people who have shared interests, activities, etc.

FELLOW Defined for Kids

fellow

noun fel·low \ ˈfe-lō \

Definition of fellow for Students

1 :a male person

2 :companion 1, comrade

fellow

adjective

Definition of fellow for Students

:belonging to the same group or class

my fellow Americans

Medical Dictionary

fellow

noun fel·low \ ˈfel-(ˌ)ō, -ə(-w) \

medical Definition of fellow

: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