21 Other Ways to Say “Bro”

21 Other Ways to Say “Bro” opens the door to a rich world of casual and friendly terms that go beyond the usual. In every corner of the English-speaking world, from British English to urban and hip-hop culture, people use different words to express camaraderie and trust and loyalty among their close friends. These words shape the way we connect, showing that friendship comes with many voices and styles.

Whether you’re chatting with your peer group or writing a casual email, knowing these alternatives helps keep your language fresh and relatable. This article highlights how these terms carry unique cultural flavors while maintaining the same spirit of solidarity and group identity that “bro” embodies.

Buddy

Buddy is a classic slang term that reflects a warm, approachable vibe, commonly used in North American English. It emphasizes trust and loyalty in friendships and works well in both informal and semi-formal contexts.

Example scenario (Email):

Subject: Weekend Plans, Buddy?

Hey Mike,

Just checking in to see if you’re still up for the game this weekend. Would be great to catch up with you, buddy! Let me know if you want to bring anyone else.

Cheers,
Jake

Here, buddy signals a friendly, familiar tone, perfect for writing to a close friend without sounding too formal.

Mate

Predominantly used in British English and Australian English, mate is an affectionate term that conveys solidarity and group identity. It’s often used in informal settings and reflects a strong peer group connection.

Example scenario (Casual conversation):

“Oi, mate! You coming to the pub later?”
— Sarah to Liam

This usage highlights the relaxed nature of the term and its place in everyday speech among friends, often signaling a shared experience or mutual activities.

Pal

Another informal word used mostly in British English and North American English, pal denotes friendliness and sometimes a nostalgic feeling of companionship. It can be slightly old-fashioned but remains charming.

Example scenario (Text message):

Hey pal, thanks for helping me move yesterday! Couldn’t have done it without you.

Here, pal expresses gratitude and warmth, ideal for strengthening a familial relationship of trust and loyalty.

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Homie

Rooted in urban and hip-hop culture, homie is a deeply affectionate term signaling solidarity and belonging within a community. It’s popular among younger generations and reflects a close friendship.

Example scenario (Social media comment):

Just dropped a new track, shoutout to all my homies who kept me going!

This shows how homie connects people beyond just friendship, representing a shared identity within a cultural context.

Dude

Perhaps one of the most versatile slang terms in North American English, dude can be casual, playful, or even emphatic, depending on the tone.

Example scenario (Informal conversation):

Dude, you won’t believe what happened at the concert last night!

The term fits perfectly in a relaxed chat, adding excitement and an informal, friendly vibe.

Fella

Fella is a colloquial term mainly found in British English and parts of Australian English. It’s a slightly old-school but affectionate way to refer to a guy or close friend.

Example scenario (Email):

Subject: Meeting with the Fellas

Hey Tom,

I’m planning to catch up with the fellas this Friday evening. You in?

Best,
James

Here, fella adds a warm, informal touch to the invitation, evoking a sense of male companionship and camaraderie.

Amigo

Borrowed from Spanish but widely used in North American English and beyond, amigo adds a playful flair to the term bro. It emphasizes friendship and is an affectionate term often used among people with some cultural awareness.

Example scenario (Text message):

Hey amigo! Long time no see. Let’s grab coffee soon.

This casual use showcases how amigo brings a touch of cultural diversity and friendliness to everyday communication.

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Comrade

With roots in political and military contexts, comrade is a term emphasizing solidarity and shared struggle, but it can also be used humorously or ironically in casual conversation.

Example scenario (Chat message):

Alright, comrade, ready for the big game tonight? Let’s show them what teamwork looks like.

This example illustrates how comrade can evoke a spirit of unity and collective effort in informal settings.

Chum

Chum is a friendly, somewhat quaint term mainly used in British English. It suggests a close friend but with a slightly playful or old-fashioned tone.

Example scenario (Letter):

Dear John,

It was fantastic to catch up with you last weekend, chum. Let’s not leave it so long next time!

Best wishes,
Peter

Using chum here conveys warmth and an endearing familiarity in a personal letter.

Brother

While brother literally means a familial relationship, it’s often used as a metaphor in urban culture and hip-hop culture to indicate a bond as strong as family among close friends.

Example scenario (Informal conversation):

You’re my brother from another mother, man. Always got your back.

This shows how brother conveys trust and loyalty and a deep connection beyond biology.

Guy

The word guy is neutral but widely used in informal conversation to refer to any male person. It’s less intimate than some other terms but still common in everyday speech.

Example scenario (Casual conversation):

That guy over there looks like he’s waiting for you.

Here, guy is used simply to identify a male individual without implying a close relationship.

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Peep

A modern, trendy term derived from “people,” peep is used mostly among younger generations to casually refer to a friend or someone in your social circle.

Example scenario (Text message):

Yo, peep, you coming to the party tonight?

This term fits informal, casual settings where brevity and playfulness are key.

Chap

More common in British English, chap is a friendly, somewhat old-fashioned term for a man or close friend, often used in informal conversation.

Example scenario (Email):

Subject: Catching up with the chap

Hi George,

Hope you’re doing well. Let’s grab a pint soon and catch up.

Regards,
William

Chap here creates a warm, conversational tone typical of British casual correspondence.

Ace

Ace can be a compliment as well as a friendly term in British English and some other English-speaking cultures, implying someone is excellent or reliable.

Example scenario (Text message):

Thanks for helping me out today, ace. You’re the best!

Using ace adds a positive spin and appreciation within a casual and informal setting.

Bruv

A shortened form of brother, bruv is common in urban and hip-hop culture and British English, particularly among youth. It conveys solidarity and group identity.

Example scenario (Informal chat):

Bruv, you ready to hit the streets?

This slang term creates an immediate connection within peer groups, especially in urban areas.

Homeboy

Similar to homie, homeboy emphasizes belonging and friendship in urban and hip-hop culture, often referring to a friend from the same neighborhood or background.

Example scenario (Social media post):

Shoutout to my homeboys for always having my back!

It’s an affectionate term reinforcing bonds through shared experience and trust.

Partner

While often associated with romantic relationships, partner is sometimes used colloquially to refer to a close friend or buddy, especially in Australian and American English.

Example scenario (Email):

Subject: Meeting the Partner

Hey Lisa,

I’m bringing my partner along to the BBQ tomorrow. Hope that’s cool!

Cheers,
David

This shows how partner can be used flexibly in informal settings.

Sidekick

A playful term referring to a loyal companion or assistant, sidekick conveys a dynamic of mutual activities and teamwork.

Example scenario (Casual conversation):

Can’t wait to hit the slopes with my sidekick this weekend.

It highlights companionship in shared adventures, emphasizing friendship and trust.

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Amigo

Yes, amigo appears twice in this article, underscoring its popularity and versatility across languages and cultures. Remember, it adds a fun, casual flair when addressing a close friend in a multicultural or bilingual setting.

Compadre

A Spanish word often used in English conversations to mean close friend or trusted associate, compadre carries cultural richness and warmth.

Example scenario (Text message):

Hey compadre, what’s the plan for tonight?

It’s perfect for informal chats among friends who appreciate cultural crossovers.

Homeskillet

An urban slang term popularized in hip-hop culture, homeskillet is a quirky and affectionate way to refer to a bro or close buddy.

Example scenario (Social media comment):

Big ups to my homeskillet for always having my back!

It’s playful and rich in cultural resonance, signaling group identity and solidarity.

Summary Table of Synonyms

Synonym	Regional/Cultural Context	Typical Usage	Tone/Implication
Buddy	North American English	Casual email, informal conversation	Trust and loyalty
Mate	British & Australian English	Informal speech	Solidarity, group identity
Pal	British & North American English	Texts, informal chats	Warmth, nostalgia
Homie	Urban & hip-hop culture	Social media, informal speech	Cultural solidarity
Dude	North American English	Casual conversation	Versatile, playful
Fella	British & Australian English	Informal email	Affectionate, friendly
Amigo	Spanish/North American English	Texts, casual talk	Cultural flair, friendliness
Comrade	Political/military roots	Chat messages	Unity, humor
Chum	British English	Letters, informal conversation	Playful, old-fashioned
Brother	Urban culture	Informal conversation	Familial-like trust
Guy	General English	Casual speech	Neutral, identifying
Peep	Younger generations	Text messages	Trendy, casual
Chap	British English	Emails, informal conversation	Friendly, somewhat old-fashioned
Ace	British English	Text messages	Compliment, informal
Bruv	Urban/British English	Informal chats	Group identity, solidarity
Homeboy	Urban/hip-hop culture	Social media	Affection, community
Partner	Australian/North American English	Emails, informal conversation	Flexible, affectionate
Sidekick	General	Casual conversation	Playful, loyal companion
Compadre	Spanish/English bilingual	Text messages	Cultural warmth
Homeskillet	Urban/hip-hop culture	Social media	Playful, group identity

FAQs

What is the origin of the term “bro”?

The term “bro” originated as a short form of “brother,” evolving into a casual and affectionate slang term among younger generations.

Can “bro” be used in professional settings?

Generally, bro is best reserved for informal settings and casual conversations, as it may come off as too casual or unprofessional in formal contexts.

Are these alternative terms to “bro” gender-specific?

Most alternatives like mate, buddy, and homie are typically used for males but can sometimes be used more broadly depending on context and culture.

How do cultural differences affect the use of “bro” synonyms?

Cultural differences influence which term fits best, such as mate in Australian English or bruv in British English urban settings, reflecting local customs and social norms.

Can “bro” and its synonyms express deeper emotional bonds?

Yes, many terms like brother and comrade carry strong connotations of trust and loyalty and can signify bonds as deep as family.

Conclusion

21 Other Ways to Say “Bro” shows how many words can express friendship and loyalty in informal settings. Each synonym has its own style and cultural meaning. They help build a sense of kinship and connection in everyday life.

Using these words can make your chats and messages more fun and meaningful. No matter where you are or who you talk to, there’s a perfect way to say “bro” that fits your vibe and mutual activities.