# bachelor

/ˈbætʃəɫɝ/ (US) · /bˈætʃəlɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bachelor
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. unmarried man

noun · CEFR B2

a man who has never been married.

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

- He lived as a bachelor for many years before finally meeting his wife.
- The protagonist is portrayed as a confirmed bachelor who enjoys his independence and has no intention of settling down.

### 2. university degree

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- After four years of hard work, she finally received her bachelor of arts.
- Candidates must hold a bachelor in a relevant field to be considered for this entry-level research position.

### 3. small apartment

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Informal

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

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

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

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

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

For teachers: 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.

- The young bachelor rode bravely into battle behind the king's standard.
- In the medieval hierarchy, a knight bachelor was the lowest rank of knighthood, lacking the resources to lead a company of his own.

## Examples

- He is a happy bachelor who enjoys living alone.
- After years of living as a bachelor, he finally decided to settle down and buy a house with his partner.
- The novel explores the life of a confirmed bachelor whose rigid daily routines are suddenly disrupted by the arrival of a distant relative.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.