Fella

A colloquial term, primarily used in informal contexts, to refer to a man or boy. It often conveys a sense of familiarity, friendliness, or sometimes, a slightly patronizing tone depending on the context and relationship between the speaker and the individual being addressed. "Fella" can be employed to describe a person of any age, from a young boy to an elderly gentleman. The use of the word implies an existing level of acquaintance, though it doesn't necessarily indicate deep friendship. It serves as a casual alternative to more formal terms like "man", "gentleman", or "lad". The word's origins are traced to the late 18th or early 19th century, evolving from a contraction of "fellow". The connotation shifts depending on the situation; it may be used with affection, humor, or to express slight disapproval, which depends on context.

Fella meaning with examples

• After the game, the coach patted the young fella on the back, congratulating him on a well-played match. The fella had shown great sportsmanship and skill throughout the entire contest and he earned a spot in the team for the next season. The coach wanted to make sure he knew how pleased he was and also to continue the praise he received from the other members of the team.
• Old Mr. Henderson, the local baker, always greeted every customer with a cheerful 'Morning, fella! What can I get for you today?' He knew everyone in town by name and made each visit an event. His good-natured attitude and friendly disposition made him a beloved figure in the neighborhood. Mr Henderson always put a smile on everyone's face who walked through the door.
• That fella over there seems to be struggling with his bags. Let's go and offer him a hand; it's the least we can do. The heavy boxes made it look difficult and he seemed like he really needed the assistance. Hopefully, the good deed will also bring some positive vibes as it always seems to do when we help others.
• The salesman approached me, and said 'Alright, fella, I've got a great deal on this car!'. I immediately knew this was likely to be a poor sales pitch as it started very casually. His demeanor was more like a used car salesman trying to lure me in to something I wouldn't enjoy. The way he addressed me raised my internal alarms to be skeptical.
• “Listen, fella,” the detective said, his voice dropping low, “We need you to cooperate, and tell us everything you know, or we'll be facing serious trouble.” He wanted to know the details surrounding the break-in. His serious tone suggested this could be a challenging interrogation. It’s clear they wanted a confession and cooperation in solving the case.