What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fellow
Example
He's a fellow member of the hiking club. [fellow: adjective]
Example
She's a fellow artist who specializes in watercolor paintings. [fellow: noun]
colleague
Example
My colleague and I are working on a project together. [colleague: noun]
Example
As a colleague of the renowned scientist, she was invited to speak at the conference. [colleague: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Colleague is more commonly used than fellow in professional or formal settings. However, fellow is still used in informal settings and can convey a sense of familiarity or camaraderie.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between fellow and colleague?
Colleague is more formal and appropriate for professional or formal settings, while fellow is more informal and can be used in casual or friendly settings.