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fellow

noun, often attributive
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fel·​low | \ ˈfe-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce fellow (audio) \

Definition of fellow

1 : comrade, associate was eager to rejoin his fellows
2a : 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
4a 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
Synonyms Did you know? More Example Sentences Learn More About fellow

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
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Recent Examples on the Web Stanley Kurtz, a senior fellow with the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, crafted the model that led to the Texas statute. — New York Times, 10 Dec. 2021 Cameron Hudson, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center, said many of those who pushed for independence have been too disenchanted in recent years to get involved. — Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fellow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of fellow

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

History and Etymology for fellow

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

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Dictionary Entries Near fellow

fellmonger

fellow

fellow commoner

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Statistics for fellow

Last Updated

15 Dec 2021

Look-up Popularity

Top 1% of words

Cite this Entry

“Fellow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fellow. Accessed 16 Dec. 2021.

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More Definitions for fellow

fellow

noun
How to pronounce fellow (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of fellow

: a male person : a boy or man
: a male companion of a girl or woman : boyfriend
: a member of a group of people who have shared interests, activities, etc.

See the full definition for fellow in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fellow

noun
fel·​low | \ ˈfe-lō How to pronounce fellow (audio) \

Kids Definition of fellow

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a male person
2 : companion sense 1, comrade

fellow

adjective

Kids Definition of fellow (Entry 2 of 2)

: belonging to the same group or class my fellow Americans

fellow

noun
fel·​low | \ ˈfel-(ˌ)ō, -ə(-w) \

Medical Definition of fellow

: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on fellow

Nglish: Translation of fellow for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of fellow for Arabic Speakers

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