mate
Pronunciation: [meɪt]
Context: "relationship"
(noun) a friend or companion. This is often used to refer to someone you spend time with or care about. Like when you play games or hang out together.
Example
My mate and I went to the park to play soccer yesterday.
Example
I don't have a mate in my new class yet.
Example
Who is your best mate?
Context: "animal behavior"
(noun) a partner in a romantic or reproductive sense. This is used when animals or people come together to start a family.
Example
The male bird was trying to impress his mate with colorful feathers.
Example
The wolf didn't find a mate last season and had to hunt alone.
Example
Does the lion have a mate in this pride?
Context: "animals"
(verb) to join together with another animal for the purpose of reproduction. This is what animals do when they want to have babies.
Example
The rabbits mated in the spring to have baby bunnies.
Example
The two dogs refused to mate during the training session.
Example
When do you think the deer will mate?
Context: "games"
(noun) a position in chess where one player's king is in danger of being captured, and there are no moves to escape. It's the final move that wins the game.
Example
I achieved checkmate in just five moves against my friend.
Example
I thought I was going to win, but my opponent didn't allow me to reach checkmate.
Example
How can I avoid getting checkmate in my next game?