classmate
classmate
Pronunciation
/ˈklæsˌmeɪt/.
First Syllable: /klæs/
/k/: Voiceless velar stop
/l/: Voiced alveolar lateral approximant
/æ/: Near-open front unrounded vowel
/s/: Voiceless alveolar fricative
Second Syllable: /meɪt/
/m/: Voiced bilabial nasal
/eɪ/: Diphthong (starts with a mid-front unrounded vowel, glides towards a near-close near-front unrounded vowel)
/t/: Voiceless alveolar stop
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: classmate
Example: My classmate helped me with my homework.
Plural Noun: classmates
Example: All my classmates attended the graduation ceremony.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A person who is a fellow member of a class at a school, college, university, or other educational institution. This definition emphasizes shared learning and enrollment in the same course or group of studies.
Synonyms: schoolmate, coursemate, fellow student, peer (in an academic context), colleague (in a learning environment)
Antonyms: teacher, instructor, professor, tutor, stranger, outsider
Definition 2: (Broader sense) An individual with whom one has shared a period of structured instruction, regardless of whether that instruction is ongoing. This definition extends to past educational relationships, focusing on the historical connection.
Synonyms: former schoolmate, old classmate, alumnus/alumna (if referring to a graduate of the same institution), contemporary (if they were in the same cohort)
Antonyms: current student (if you are no longer one), non-student, unrelated individual
Note: "Classmate" does not have commonly recognized verb, adjective, or adverb forms. While you might colloquially say "we were classmates" (using "were" as the verb), "classmate" itself doesn't inflect into those parts of speech. Any attempt to force such definitions would be highly unconventional and not reflective of common usage.
Examples of Use
Books:
"Harry Potter, too, had managed to get on speaking terms with a few of the other classmates in his year, though he still felt a considerable distance from most of them." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)
"She was delighted to see her old classmate, Sarah, at the high school reunion, reminiscing about their shared struggles with calculus." (Fictional example, typical of many coming-of-age or reunion narratives)
Newspapers:
"Local student honored for helping a classmate overcome bullying" (Headline, The Daily Herald)
"Police are investigating an incident where a high school student allegedly assaulted a classmate during a lunch break." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"How to reconnect with your college classmates after graduation" (Article title, Forbes.com)
"My classmate just launched a successful tech startup, and I'm so proud of their journey." (LinkedIn post)
"Reddit thread: 'What's the funniest thing your classmate ever did in a Zoom class?'" (Reddit.com, r/AskReddit)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
TV Show Dialogue: "Hey, I saw your classmate from art history at the coffee shop today. She remembered you!" (Fictional dialogue from a sitcom)
Song Lyrics: "We were just kids, classmates on a playground, dreaming big dreams, never looking down." (Fictional song lyric, common in nostalgic or coming-of-age songs)
Podcast: "In today's episode, we sit down with a former classmate of the founder to get an insider's perspective on their early days." (Fictional podcast description)
Video Game: "Find your lost classmate in the school library to complete the quest." (Instruction in an educational adventure game)
General Public Discourse:
"My child is having trouble with one of their classmates who keeps teasing them." (Parent talking to a teacher)
"I ran into an old classmate from primary school the other day, completely by chance, and we ended up chatting for an hour." (Casual conversation between friends)
"Remember that loud classmate from our English class? I saw them on TV last night!" (Informal discussion)
10 Famous Quotes Using Classmate
"The first duty of a student is to his studies, the second is to his classmates, and the third is to his school." (Attributed to a general educational principle, rather than a specific famous person)
"A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning. But a true friend and classmate can make the journey unforgettable." (Original Quote)
"Sometimes, the greatest lessons are learned not from the professor, but from a struggling classmate who embodies resilience." (Original Quote)
"The bonds forged with classmates in the crucible of shared assignments and late-night study sessions often last a lifetime." (Original Quote)
"I looked around at my classmates that first day, and though we were all strangers, I knew we were embarking on a journey together." (Original Quote, reflecting a common sentiment)
"Every classmate is a potential mentor, a future collaborator, or a lifelong friend waiting to be discovered." (Original Quote)
"True education is not just about what you learn, but about the respect you show your teachers and the empathy you extend to your classmates." (Original Quote, reflecting a broader educational philosophy)
"My classmate taught me more about perseverance than any textbook ever could." (Original Quote, common sentiment)
"The most important thing in school is to learn how to learn. The second most important thing is to make friends with your classmates." (Original Quote, reflective of general advice given to students)
"We were all in the same boat, classmates navigating the choppy waters of adolescence, each with our own dreams and fears." (Original Quote, often seen in memoirs or fictional narratives about school life)
Etymology
The word "classmate" is quite straightforward in its origin! It's a combination of two older English words: "class" and "mate."
Let's break it down:
Class: This part of the word comes from the Latin word "classis," which originally referred to a division or group of people, like a social class or a division of the Roman people for taxation. Over time, in English, "class" came to specifically mean a group of students taught together in a school or college. This meaning emerged around the 17th century.
Mate: This word has roots in Middle Low German and Proto-Germanic languages. It basically means "companion," "fellow," or "one who shares." Think of words like "roommate" (someone you share a room with) or "teammate" (someone you share a team with).
So, when you put "class" and "mate" together, you get "classmate," which literally means "a companion in the same class."
The first known use of "classmate" in writing dates back to 1713. It appeared in a diary entry by Samuel Sewall, an American judge and diarist. At that time, its meaning was exactly what we understand it to be today: someone who is in the same class as you at an educational institution. It's a very direct and practical word that describes a common relationship in an academic setting.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Classmate
As "classmate" is a fairly literal and descriptive word, it doesn't commonly appear in many established idioms or complex phrases. Most uses are direct. Therefore, this list will include some direct phrases and then supplement with original or less common phrases, and idioms that use synonyms for a similar effect.
Here's a list:
Old classmate: Refers to a person who was a classmate in the past.
Example: I ran into an old classmate from high school at the market.
Former classmate: Similar to "old classmate," emphasizing that the shared class period is in the past.
Example: She keeps in touch with many of her former classmates through social media.
My classmate and I: A simple conjunctive phrase to include oneself with a classmate.
Example: My classmate and I collaborated on the research project.
A study-buddy classmate: (Less common/original phrase) A classmate with whom one regularly studies.
Example: Finding a good study-buddy classmate can make challenging courses much easier.
To be on good terms with your classmates: (Direct phrase) To have a friendly or respectful relationship with those in your class.
Example: It's important to be on good terms with your classmates for group assignments.
To reconnect with classmates: (Direct phrase) To re-establish contact with people from one's past classes.
Example: The alumni event was a great chance to reconnect with classmates from my university days.
To look out for a fellow student/peer: (Idiom using synonym) To take care of or support someone who shares the same academic environment.
Example: It's crucial to look out for a fellow student, especially if they're struggling.
To rub shoulders with your peers: (Idiom using synonym) To associate or interact closely with others in the same group or level.
Example: Networking events allow students to rub shoulders with their peers and potential future colleagues.
To be in the same boat (as your classmates): (Idiom, applied contextually) To be in the same difficult or challenging situation as others.
Example: When the professor announced the pop quiz, we were all in the same boat – unprepared!
A diamond in the rough (among classmates): (Idiom, applied contextually) A person who has hidden exceptional qualities or potential, often referring to a talented but unrecognized classmate.
Example: Our quietest classmate turned out to be a diamond in the rough when it came to coding.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of classmate from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
