fellow

noun

fel·​low ˈfe-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce fellow (audio)
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 LaboratoryRoger 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.

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.
Inside, they were crowded into the hallways, waiting to see loved ones among the 200 detainees being held in crowded basement facilities, said Elaina Jung Hee Vermeulen, a lawyer and Skadden fellow at California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025 In walks a fellow who can sing and dance, who can memorize a script backward and forward in a few days, and who absolutely looks the part – but who can’t act it, not really. Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 12 June 2025 Honorable Dame Ardern now serves as a fellow at Harvard University. Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 12 June 2025 Brian was also a grandfather to six; Carnie shares two daughters with husband and fellow musician and producer Robert Bonfiglio and Wendy has four boys with her husband Daniel Knutson. Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 11 June 2025 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 18 Jun. 2025.

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

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