Colleague Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/kəˈliːɡ/

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A colleague is a person with whom one works, especially in a department or team, and shares a common profession or activity.

Examples

1. “She collaborated with her colleague on the project to ensure its success.”

2. “The new employee was warmly welcomed by his colleagues during the onboarding process.”

Synonyms

1. Associate

2. Co-worker

Antonyms

1. Rival

2. Competitor

Additional Information

A colleague can be a beneficial connection in the workplace, offering valuable guidance, feedback, and support. Effective communication and relationship-building with colleagues are essential for career growth and professional development. Strong working relationships can lead to increased productivity, improved job satisfaction, and enhanced collaboration. In addition to job-specific skills, having a supportive network of colleagues can be a determining factor in job performance and overall success. As technology advances, the traditional office setup has changed, with more remote work opportunities, yet the importance of having good working relationships with colleagues remains constant. Nurturing professional connections through team-building activities, workshops, and other forms of communication can greatly enhance work quality and performance.

In some workplaces, the terms ‘colleague’ and ‘coworker’ are used interchangeably. However, the former term emphasizes shared experiences and the exchange of knowledge among workers in the same or different departments, highlighting collaboration, professional courtesy, and commonalities within an organization.

Etymology

The word ‘colleague’ comes from the Latin words ‘col-‘ meaning ‘together’ and ‘leg-‘ meaning ‘choose’. It originated in the 14th century as ‘colleague’ meaning a member of a board, court, or society. In modern times, it is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts.

Usage Notes

The word ‘colleague’ can be used to refer to any coworker in the workplace. When speaking in formal contexts, one might prefer the use of the word ‘colleague’ to express a level of respect or equality in their work relationships.

Cultural References

In movies, books, and other works of fiction, colleagues often play a vital role in driving the plot and shaping character interactions. Examples of this abound, showcasing how depictions of office settings, politics, or public services commonly portray the distinctive challenges of professional camaraderie, workplace solidarity, and corporate strategies.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Some common idiomatic expressions that use ‘colleague’ include: ‘a colleague in crime’ for a partner in a mischievous or clandestine activity, and ‘working closely with your colleagues’ for collaborating or cooperating effectively in a team setting.

Related Words or Phrases

Words related to ‘colleague’ include: co-worker, member, peer, and associate.

Collocations

Common collocations include ‘a close colleague’, ‘colleague and friend’, ‘fellow colleague’, and ‘colleague after colleague’. These combinations emphasize the diversity of working relationships that an individual may experience within their professional lives.

Frequency of Use

The term ‘colleague’ is frequently used in everyday conversations, formal situations, and high-level business settings. The widespread applicability and suitability of the term make it one of the commonly encountered phrases in modern business culture.

Common Misspellings

Some common misspellings of the word ‘colleague’ are: collegue, colegue, and collogue.