adjective / noun
matey
MAY-tee/ˈmeɪti/
Warmly familiar in the manner of a companion.
The woman's matey embrace makes the new acquaintance lean away awkwardly.
Etymology
The sources connect mate with a table companion, later a friend, and document matey as a diminutive noun meaning a male friend. They do not establish the history of the adjective meaning overly familiar.
In context
Everybody was matey with everybody else. Everybody did the conga around the around the square.
More examples
- Her matey tone feels too familiar for a job interview.
- The coach keeps things matey without losing the team's respect.
- "Grab a chair, matey," he says with a smile.
Forms
matey · matier · matiest · mateys
Similar words
- friendly
- Describes warmth and kindness without necessarily implying close personal familiarity.
- chummy
- Suggests especially close, informal friendship, sometimes excluding other people.