1. a friend or companion
Usage: informal; chiefly British
2. a fellow sailor
Usage: nautical; informal

1. friendly and sociable
Usage: informal; chiefly British

Examples

• Come on, matey, let’s get going!
• He’s a good matey of mine from school.
• The old sailor called his shipmates ‘matey’.
• She’s very matey with everyone in the office.
• Don’t be so matey with strangers.
• The captain addressed his crew as ‘mateys’.
• He has a matey personality that draws people to him.