Cool MateInmate
UK /["/ˈɪnmeɪt/"]/US /["/ˈɪnmeɪt/"]/
Definition
one of the people living in an institution such as a prison or a psychiatric hospital
In simple words: A person who is in prison.
Examples
- The jail has 500 inmates.
- He was attacked by a fellow inmate.
- The inmates were transferred to an undisclosed location.
- a camp where more than 4 000 inmates are housed
- a former inmate of an Ohio prison
- inmates serving lengthy terms
Usage notes
Used specifically to refer to prisoners. Avoid using in formal contexts that require legal terminology.
Grammar pattern
standalone noun
Memory hint
Sounds like 'in-mate' — imagine a person living inside a mate's house (the prison).
Collocations
- fellow
- former
- new
- transfer
- free
- release
- escape
- serve something
- population
- among inmate
Synonyms
- prisoner
- convict
- felon
- criminal
- detainee
Antonyms
- free person
- citizen
- law-abiding citizen
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'detainee' which can refer to someone held without charges.
- Using as a verb instead of a noun.
- Mixing up with 'convict' which implies a legal conviction.