Synonyms for

Mating

Verb / ˈmeɪtɪŋ / Another word for mating — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Mating refers to the process of two animals coming together to reproduce.

Synonyms & similar words

matup matteup mate copulate sexualunion couple tangle twin entangle pair coupling conjugation unsnarl snarl union mattup match mat checkmate felt matte disentangle feltup pairing breeding copulation reproduction procreation conception courtship pairing

Synonyms by register

Formal

reproduction copulation conjugation procreation

Informal

hooking up shagging bonking getting it on

Literary

union congress coupling

Antonyms

celibacy abstinence virginity solitude asexuality separation

Common collocations

  • sexual mating
  • animal mating
  • mating ritual
  • mating call
  • mating season
  • mating behavior
  • mating pair

Word family

noun mating
verb mate
adjective mating

Usage note

Primarily used in biological and zoological contexts. Can be used informally but may sound clinical or overly scientific.

Example sentences

  1. The birds are mating in the trees.
  2. The zookeepers are trying to encourage the pandas to mate.
  3. The mating dance of the peacock is beautiful.
  4. The mating habits of lions involve multiple partners.
  5. The mating season of deer is in the fall.

Quotes

  • 'Mating is a natural process. People should not interfere with it.' - Jane Goodall
  • 'The soul mate is what we aspire to and like to understand about us is what we deem our soul mate.' - Elizabeth Gilbert
  • 'Mating is always a trial, and one can't help thinking that each partner selected is the trial of a series.' - Katherine Mansfield

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