college
- 01 A1 Beginner
a place where you study after finishing high school to get a degree or learn a skill.
an institution of higher education that grants degrees or provides specialised professional or vocational training.
Simple“My brother is starting college in September to study engineering.”
In context“After graduating from high school, she spent four years at a liberal arts college before applying to medical school.”
PitfallI am going to the college. I am going to college.In American English, when talking about being a student, 'college' is used without 'the', similar to 'school' or 'church'.
Synonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
in some countries, a name for a private or high-level secondary school.
a term used in various Commonwealth countries to denote a secondary school, often one that is private or independent.
Simple“In many parts of Australia, children attend a local college for their final years of school.”
In context“The prestigious independent college has a long history of academic excellence and competitive sporting achievements in the region.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
an official group of people who have the same job or goals.
an organised body of persons with shared functions, privileges, or professions, often acting as a regulatory or representative entity.
Simple“The Royal College of Surgeons sets the standards for doctors in the country.”
In context“Membership in the college is mandatory for any practitioner wishing to operate legally within the provincial jurisdiction.”
UsageOften used in the titles of medical or legal organisations.
Synonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
a specific group of people chosen to vote for a leader, like a president.
a set of electors who are selected to elect a candidate to a particular office.
Simple“In the United States, the president is officially chosen by the Electoral College.”
In context“Critics of the current system argue that the electoral college can sometimes produce a result that contradicts the national popular vote.”
Synonyms
college vs university — College usually describes smaller institutions or undergraduate studies, while university refers to larger institutions that grant both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Usage college students · college campus
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Latin con- Proto-Indo-European *leǵ-der.? Proto-Indo-European *legʰ-der.? Proto-Italic *lēks Latin lēx Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin lēgō Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂ Proto-Italic *-ā Latin -a Latin collēga Proto-Indo-European *-yós Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius Latin -ium Latin collēgiumbor. Old French college Middle French collegebor. Middle English college English college From Middle English college, from Middle French college, from Old French college, from Latin collēgium. Doublet of collegium.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.