classmate

noun

class·​mate ˈklas-ˌmāt How to pronounce classmate (audio)
Synonyms of classmatenext
: a member of the same class in a school or college

Examples of classmate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Like many of his classmates, Kennedy entertained the idea of becoming a priest. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 Despite Bret’s passionate insistence that his classmate is a serial killer, Croft tells him Robert is a good kid from a good family and sends him back to class. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 On the cool, overcast October day of my matriculation into the university in 2019, my classmates and I walked onto Selwyn College’s Old Court, excited and taking pictures of each other in our traditional robes. — Jill Damatac, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026 Thankfully, her parents were safe – but many of her former neighbors and classmates are missing. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for classmate

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of classmate was in 1713

Rhymes for classmate

See All Rhymes for classmate

Browse Nearby Words

class mark
classmate
class meaning
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Classmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classmate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

classmate

noun
class·​mate ˈklas-ˌmāt How to pronounce classmate (audio)
: a member of the same class in a school or college

More from Merriam-Webster on classmate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for classmate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All