Do people use the word "mate" as...?

Question

..as meaning friend..or like a boyfriend/girlfriend??

Ex. She is my mate

He's my mate

i don't know..i just was thinking about it today

Answer 1

It means more of a pal, buddy, friend, etc.  It's often used between people of the same s*x, especially between guys.  There's no romantic connotation.

Answer 2

It depends what country you live in, in the UK, or Australia it is commonly used to refer to a friend or buddy.

Although it is used to determine sexual relations as well, it is most commonly used in this way to describe animal sexual relations though.