Playmate

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈpleɪˌmeɪt/

Definitions

1. An individual who participates in games or playful endeavors, typically associated with friendships formed during childhood and shared leisure activities
2. A person who shares in playful interactions or games, usually during one's formative years, fostering companionship and fun times together
3. A companion, often a child, with whom one engages in play activities to enjoy shared fun and recreation

Etymology: "Playmate" is a plain compound: "play" plus "mate," with the second element meaning a companion or fellow. Put together, it describes someone you share games and amusements with, usually in childhood. The more interesting detail is that English had already tried this construction. An earlier word, "playfeer," meant the same thing and was built on the same pattern, with "feer" (a companion) doing the work that "mate" does today. "Playmate" ultimately won out, and it is the form that has lasted.

Synonyms: friend, companion, playfellow, partner, associate

Antonyms: enemy, rival, opponent, adversary, stranger