WordGarden.iofellow
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈɛləʊ/
US
- /ˈfɛloʊ/
Meanings
Noun
a man or person, often in informal or old-fashioned speech
a companion, associate, or peer in the same group
a person holding an academic fellowship or membership in a learned institution
Adjective
sharing the same role, group, or situation
Beyond the definition
"Fellow" usually points to another person who is connected to you in some way. It may mean a companion, a colleague, or someone in the same group, as in "fellow students" or "fellow workers." It can also be part of a formal title, such as a research fellow at a university. In everyday English, it sometimes simply means a man or person, often with a warm or sympathetic tone: "Poor fellow, he missed the train." The word often suggests some shared experience or sense of belonging.
The word "fellow" is quite flexible, but the main idea is simple: it refers to another person who is linked to you by situation, group, work, or experience. In older use, it often meant a companion or partner. That same idea still appears today in phrases like "fellow traveler," "fellow student," or "fellow citizens," where the word highlights a shared path or shared identity. In these cases, it works almost like a marker of togetherness.
The word also has an important formal use. A fellow can be a member of a learned society, college, or professional body, or someone given a special academic position, such as a research fellow. In this sense, it is not just a general word for a person; it names a role or rank within an institution.
In everyday speech, "fellow" can also mean simply "man" or "person," often in a friendly, casual, or sympathetic way: "He seems like a nice fellow" or "The poor fellow looked tired." This use is common in narrative writing because it sounds human and slightly warm. So the word can describe a companion, a person in the same group, someone with an official title, or just another person seen with a bit of feeling.
Examples
- 1
Travel
I ended up talking to a fellow passenger for most of the flight.
- 2
Students
She still meets her fellow students for coffee every Friday.
- 3
Community
During the heat wave, neighbors checked on their fellow residents.
- 4
Civic speech
In his speech, the mayor thanked his fellow citizens for their patience.
- Phrasefellow citizens
people who belong to the same country or community
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Humanity
We should treat our fellow human beings with kindness.
- Phrasefellow human beings
other people
- 6
Old-fashioned noun
He seemed like a decent fellow, so I trusted him.
- Usagefellow
man; slightly old-fashioned in this use
- 7
Academic job
After finishing her PhD, she became a research fellow at the university.
- Domain
in academia, a research fellow is someone whose job is to do research
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- fellownounadjective
Forms
- fellowspluralnounadjective