English · Word Candidate

colleague

/ˈkɒliːɡ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: colleagues · colleaguing · colleagued

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A fellow member of a profession, staff, academic faculty or other organization; an associate, a workmate.

Noun

Examples

Mostly, the microbiome is beneficial.[…]Research over the past few years, however, has implicated it in diseases from atherosclerosis to asthma to autism. Dr Yoshimoto and his colleagues would like to add liver cancer to that list.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To unite or associate with another or with others.

Verb

Examples

Young Fortinbras, Holding a weak supposal of our worth ...Colleagued with the dream of his advantage, ...hath not failed to pester us with message Importing the surrender of those lands Lost by his father. - Hamlet (Act I, Scene 2)

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “colleague” mean?

A fellow member of a profession, staff, academic faculty or other organization; an associate, a workmate.

Is “colleague” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.