fellas

IPA/ˈfel.ə/
KK[fˈɛləs]IPA/ˈfel.ə/

fellas — noun

  • fellassingular
  • fellasesplural

1. men, especially when spoken of or addressed in a warm, easygoing way among frien

1.nounB1
Definition

men, especially when spoken of or addressed in a warm, easygoing way among friends

Example

Mauricio waved at the fellas across the street and crossed over to join them.

informal reference to a group of male friends

Ziad and the fellas meet at the park every Saturday to play football.

Common collocations
  • hey fellas
  • you fellas
  • me and the fellas
  • alright fellas
  • the fellas at work
Synonyms
  • guys

    more common and less regionally marked; works in most English-speaking countries

  • lads

    British and Irish; carries a youthful, rowdy energy

  • dudes

    American, with surf or skater associations; more slangy than 'fellas'

  • blokes

    British and Australian; can sound more neutral or slightly old-fashioned

Antonyms
  • ladies

    the informal female equivalent, used in direct address

  • gals

    more old-fashioned female equivalent, common in American English

Grammar Patterns

used as a friendly form of address: 'hey fellas', 'alright fellas'

Usage Note

Always plural. 'Fellas' carries a warm, matey tone and is strongly informal — avoid it in business, academic, or other serious settings. For a single man, use 'fella' (the singular form).

Common Mistakes

He is a really nice fellas.
He is a really nice fella.
'fellas' is always plural; use 'fella' for one man.
The fellas in the boardroom approved the merger.
The men in the boardroom approved the merger.
'fellas' is too informal for business contexts.

2. male romantic or sexual partners; the men someone is dating or involved with

2.nounB2
Definition

male romantic or sexual partners; the men someone is dating or involved with

Example

Nkechi told Mei she was tired of talking about their fellas all evening.

possessive: 'their fellas' — women speaking about boyfriends

Apinya's grandmother always asks if she has any new fellas to bring home.

collocation: 'new fellas'

Common collocations
  • her fellas
  • new fellas
  • their fellas
Synonyms
  • boyfriends

    the neutral, standard term; appropriate in any register

  • partners

    more formal and gender-neutral; suggests a serious relationship

  • men

    broader and less specifically romantic; context must supply the meaning

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

typically used with possessive: 'her fellas', 'their fellas'

Usage Note

Used almost exclusively by or about women referring to men they are romantically or sexually involved with. Less frequent than sense 1 and carries a slightly dismissive or playful edge.

Common Mistakes

Her new fellas is a doctor.
Her new fella is a doctor.
'fellas' is plural; use 'fella' for a single boyfriend.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words are informal terms for a group of men, but each carries a different regional and social flavour. 'Guys' is the most universal — it works across the English-speaking world and has nearly lost its gendered edge, sometimes even addressing mixed groups. 'Lads' is strongly British and Irish, suggesting youthful energy and a bit of rowdiness ('a night out with the lads'). 'Dudes' is distinctly American and retains a surfer-skater-slacker vibe; it can sound dated or comical outside those circles. 'Blokes' is common in Britain and Australia and is more neutral than 'lads,' closer to 'men' but still informal. 'Fellas' sits between 'guys' and 'lads' — it is warm and approachable without the rowdy baggage of 'lads,' and less bland than 'guys.' A football coach who says 'Alright fellas, huddle up' sounds encouraging and personal; 'Alright guys' would be flatter.

guys ↗lads ↗dudes ↗blokes

Common collocations

Phrases

  • you fellas
  • hey fellas
  • me and the fellas

Etymology

Old NorseOld EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

'Fellas' is the informal plural of 'fella,' a colloquial shortening of 'fellow' that arose in 19th-century spoken English. 'Fellow' traces back to Old English 'feolaga,' borrowed from Old Norse 'félagi,' which literally meant 'fee-layer' — someone who puts down money together with another in a joint business venture. Over the centuries, the word broadened from 'business partner' to 'companion' and eventually to a general term for a man. The clipped form 'fella' (and its plural 'fellas') preserves the word's old companionable warmth in a relaxed, everyday register.

First known use

1816

1816, in the meaning defined above