English Reference

Word

fellow

Phoneticsfel·low, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈfɛɫoʊ/

UK/fˈɛləʊ/

Definitions

01a man or boy

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a way to refer to a man or boy. You might use this to be polite, slightly old-fashioned, or friendly.

n. a male person; used as a synonym for 'man', 'guy', or 'chap'. Often carries a slightly formal or old-fashioned tone depending on the region.

“He seems like a very kind young fellow who is always willing to help.”

“The elderly fellow at the corner shop has been a fixture of this neighbourhood for over forty years.”

Synonyms

02sharing a status

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. used to describe people who are in the same situation as you or share your job.

adj. denoting a person in the same position, involved in the same activity, or otherwise associated with the speaker or subject.

“She wanted to discuss the new rules with her fellow students after class.”

“The lead researcher urged his fellow scientists to remain objective despite the surprising preliminary results of the clinical trial.”

Synonyms

03academic member

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Academic · Formal

n. a member of a university or a group of learned people who do research together.

n. a member of a learned society or a senior member of a college or university, often involved in research or teaching.

“She was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society for her work in physics.”

“After completing his doctorate, he was invited to stay on as a research fellow to continue his investigation into renewable energy.”

04companion or peer

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary

n. a person who is your companion or someone who is equal to you in rank.

n. a companion, comrade, or peer; one who belongs to the same class or group as another.

“He felt a deep connection to his fellows who had survived the long journey.”

“The poet wrote extensively about the shared struggles of his fellows during the industrial revolution.”

Antonyms

05matching item

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic

n. one of a pair of things that match or go together.

n. one of a pair of matching or complementary objects; a counterpart.

“I found one glove in the drawer, but I cannot find its fellow anywhere.”

“The antique vase was missing its fellow, which had reportedly been lost during the family's move across the Atlantic.”

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “fellow” in context.

Verb

01. know the fellow

“Do you know the fellow standing by the entrance with the red umbrella?”

verb + noun

02. like the fellow

“I didn't like the fellow at first, but his sense of humor eventually won me over.”

verb + noun

Adjective

03. cheerful fellow

“The shopkeeper was a cheerful fellow who always had a joke to share with his customers.”

adj + noun

04. decent fellow

“Even though we disagree on politics, I've always found him to be a decent fellow.”

adj + noun

05. poor fellow

“The poor fellow lost his job and his apartment in the same week.”

adj + noun

06. strange fellow

“He's a bit of a strange fellow, often walking alone in the park late at night.”

adj + noun

Noun

07. bit of a fellow

“He was a sturdy bit of a fellow, despite his relatively short height.”

noun + of + noun

Usage

Often used as an attributive noun to indicate shared experience, such as 'fellow citizens' or 'fellow students'.

Real-World Examples

“She appeared in a number of Bristol Old Vic productions in the 1950s, and it was there she met Eric Thompson, a fellow actor, whom she married in 1957.”
The Guardian 18 Aug 2026
“The way death is dealt with is very important in Zambia, said Christopher Vandome, a senior research fellow at the thinktank Chatham House.”
The Guardian 13 Aug 2026

Word family

NOUN

Fellow(B2)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Common
Level
B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/fellow

English Reference