playmate

"Playmate" is a warm, friendly word with a couple of closely related meanings. At its core, it describes someone you play or spend fun time with. It has a very innocent primary sense, most commonly used when talking about children, but it also has a well-known adult/media-related sense worth knowing about.

1nounchildhood companion

A playmate is simply a friend — usually a child — who you play with regularly. Think of the kids in your neighborhood or school who you ran around with, played games with, or spent time with just for fun. It is a very natural, affectionate word for a play companion.

everyday language, childhood · Modern, widely used

My daughter and the girl next door have been playmates since they were toddlers.

As a child, he had no playmates in his village, so he spent a lot of time reading.

The kindergarten teacher encouraged the children to find a playmate for the outdoor activity.

2nounfigurativefun companion (adults)

Adults sometimes use 'playmate' in a lighthearted way to describe someone they enjoy spending leisure time with — a person who shares your sense of fun and adventure. It carries a playful, carefree tone.

everyday language · Modern, informal · figurative

She described her best friend as her lifelong playmate — always ready for a spontaneous trip.

He was looking for a travel playmate, someone who enjoyed exploring new cities without a strict plan.

3nounPlayboy magazine model

With a capital 'P', 'Playmate' refers specifically to a model featured in Playboy magazine. This is a well-known cultural use of the word in media and entertainment contexts. It is not vulgar on its own, but it does refer to adult content.

media, entertainment · Modern, widely recognized

The magazine announced its Playmate of the Year in the December issue.

She became a famous Playmate in the 1980s and later moved into acting.