fella
UK: ˈfelə | US: ˈfelə
n. (informal) a man or boy; a fellow
n. (colloquial) a term of address for a male friend or companion
fella = fell<companion> + a<diminutive or colloquial suffix>
- fell (from Old English fēolaga, meaning "companion" or "partner," derived from Old Norse félagi, combining fé "money/property" + lag "to lay/share")
- a (a colloquial or dialectal suffix often used to create informal or affectionate terms)
Etymology Origin:
"Fella" originated as a colloquial shortening of "fellow," which traces back to Old English fēolaga (via Old Norse félagi). The Norse term originally referred to someone who shared property or resources (fé "money" + lag "to lay down"). Over time, "fellow" evolved into a general term for a man or companion, and "fella" emerged as a friendly, informal variant in the 19th century, retaining its sense of camaraderie.
"Hey, fella, can you lend me a hand?"
"He’s a good fella—always helps his neighbors."
"The old fella at the store told me a funny story."
"You’re a lucky fella to have such friends."
"That fella over there looks familiar."