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mates

Pronunciation: [meɪts]

Word

Context: “relationship”

(noun) a way to refer to a friend or companion. Mates are people you enjoy spending time with, like good friends or buddies.

Example

I went to the park with my mates to play soccer.

Example

I don’t have any mates in this new town yet.

Example

Who are your best mates that you hang out with?

Context: “games”

(noun) in some games, like chess, a mate means putting your opponent's king in a position where it cannot escape capture, leading to a win.

Example

I won the game with a checkmate; my opponent couldn't move anymore.

Example

I thought I had the game won, but I missed the checkmate.

Example

Did you see how I set up the checkmate?

Context: “reproduction”

(verb) to join together with someone in a special way, usually to have babies. It's what animals do when they find a partner.

Example

The birds mated in the spring and built a nest together.

Example

The animals didn’t mate this season, so there were no new babies.

Example

When do you think the animals will mate?

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