Words / B1

WURKM-ayt/ˈwɜːkmeɪt/

A workmate is a person you work with (informal UK). A colleague is the more formal twin; a classmate is school. HR: a workmate is not your line manager; a grievance still goes through the proper route.

Meaning

A person you work with (informal UK).

Examples

• “A workmate is not your line manager; the grievance still goes through HR.”
• “A workmate on the rota can swap a shift; they cannot sign off your holiday form.”

Good to know

a workmate (informal UK). Close: a colleague. Contrast: a classmate / a line manager. Work / rota. Countable people. Mix-up: a housemate shares a house, not a job.

Near in meaning

colleague

New