fellow

noun

fel·​low ˈfe-(ˌ)lō 

often attributive

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

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.

Synonyms

• beau
• boy
• boyfriend
• man
• old man
• swain

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

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Recent Examples on the Web

The battle has led to what Joseph Webster, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, calls a unique politicization of offshore wind energy. —Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 17 Nov. 2023

Barrino’s message resonated through the evening as fellow honorees Billie Eilish, Lily Gladstone and Carey Mulligan spoke from the heart about the lives and their philanthropic passions. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023

The 51-year-old broadcaster did not address the reason behind his absence on the ABC morning show Wednesday, though his fellow co-hosts Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos appeared ecstatic for his return. —Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023

The rising star picked up a nom alongside fellow breakout acts including Ice Spice, Noah Kahan, Victoria Monét, Coco Jones, Jelly Roll, Fred Again.., and the War and Treaty. —Waiss Aramesh, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2023

And following a year in which fellow jazz artist Samara Joy won best new artist, appetite for the genre seems at its hungriest in decades. —Taylor Mims, Billboard, 8 Nov. 2023

In 2020, Megan was shot by her then-friend and fellow musician Tory Lanez during a heated argument. —Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 7 Nov. 2023

Willie Nelson, who after 60-plus years continues to perform his brand of rock, pop and blues-infused country music, took the stage to sing with Chris Stapleton and fellow honoree Sheryl Crow. —Samantha Chery, Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2023

Schwarzenegger also claimed that Triplets fell through because of lack of interest from Reitman’s son and fellow director, Jason Reitman. —Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 3 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing fellow

• fellow feeling
• fellow servant
• hail-fellow-well-met
• hail-fellow
• fellow traveler
• good fellow
• fellow man

• fellow feeling
• fellow servant
• hail-fellow-well-met
• hail-fellow
• fellow traveler
• good fellow
• fellow man

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Kids Definition

fellow

1 of 2 noun

fel·​low

ˈfel-ō

1

: comrade, associate

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

b

: boyfriend sense 2

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