# comrade

/ˈkɑmˌɹæd/ (US) · /kˈɒmɹeɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/comrade
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a companion or colleague

noun · CEFR B2

a friend or colleague who shares the same activities or difficulties as you.

For teachers: a companion, associate, or fellow member of an organisation, often implying a shared struggle or professional bond.

- He felt a strong bond with his comrades from the years they spent working in the mines.
- The veteran spoke movingly about his fallen comrades, emphasizing the unbreakable bonds formed during their years of service overseas.

### 2. political ally

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a fellow member of a left-wing political party, such as a socialist or communist group.

For teachers: a fellow member of a socialist or communist party; frequently used as a non-hierarchical title or form of address.

- The speaker addressed the crowd as 'comrades' to show they were all equal in the movement.
- In the early twentieth century, party members would regularly address one another as 'comrade' to signal their shared commitment to revolutionary ideals.

Usage: Often used as a title before a surname in political contexts.

Teaching tip: In many Western countries, using this word today sounds very political or historical; it is rarely used in casual conversation unless referring to specific political movements.

## Examples

- She is my closest comrade in the club.
- The two comrades worked together to organize the local community event.
- In the harsh winter of the campaign, the soldiers relied on each other as comrades, bound by shared hardship and a common cause.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.