"Colleague" vs. "teammate": exploring workplace bonds

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 04/10/2024, 14:00

English.me team member

Colleague and teammate. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both terms refer to people with whom you collaborate or work alongside in a professional or group setting.

What is different?

A "colleague" typically refers to a fellow employee or professional in a workplace, while a "teammate" refers to a member of a team, which could be in a workplace, sports, or other group settings.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Colleague

I discussed the project with my colleague from the marketing department.
She is a trusted colleague and has been working in the company for over a decade.

Teammate

During the match, each teammate supported one another.
He is one of the most dedicated teammates on the project team.