ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bachelor

n.
US //ˈbætʃəɫɝ// UK //bˈætʃəlɐ// bach·e·lor
  1. 1 unmarried man (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a man who has never been married.

    a man who is not married, especially one who has never married and is socially perceived as eligible for marriage.

    Example

    He lived as a bachelor for many years before finally meeting his wife.

    Example

    The protagonist is portrayed as a confirmed bachelor who enjoys his independence and has no intention of settling down.
    • single man
  2. 2 university degree (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the first degree you get from a university after three or four years of study.

    the first or lowest academic degree conferred by a college or university; often used as a modifier in 'bachelor's degree'.

    Example

    After four years of hard work, she finally received her bachelor of arts.

    Example

    Candidates must hold a bachelor in a relevant field to be considered for this entry-level research position.
    Pitfall
    I have a bachelor in science.
    I have a bachelor's degree in science.

    When referring to the qualification itself, it is more common to use the possessive form 'bachelor's degree' or simply 'a bachelor's'.

  3. 3 small apartment (n.)
    C1 Advanced American English Informal

    a small apartment with only one main room for living and sleeping.

    a small apartment designed for one person, typically consisting of a single main room that serves as both bedroom and living area.

    Example

    He moved into a small bachelor near the university to save money on rent.

    Example

    The building consists mostly of bachelors and one-bedroom units, catering primarily to young professionals and students.

    Usage

    Commonly used in Canadian English to refer to a studio flat.
  4. 4 junior knight (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

    a young knight who served under the banner of another knight.

    a knight who followed the banner of another, either because of his youth or because he had too few vassals to display his own banner.

    Example

    The young bachelor rode bravely into battle behind the king's standard.

    Example

    In the medieval hierarchy, a knight bachelor was the lowest rank of knighthood, lacking the resources to lead a company of his own.
Origin

From Middle English bacheler, from Anglo-Norman and Old French bacheler (modern French bachelier), from Medieval Latin baccalārius, baccalāris (compare Tuscan baccalare (“squire”)).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Last updated June 20, 2026