# Harvard

/ˈhɑɹvɝd/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/harvard
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the university

noun · CEFR B2

a very famous and high-quality university in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

For teachers: a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established in 1636 and widely regarded as one of the most prestigious in the world.

- She worked hard for years because her dream was to study at Harvard.
- The research conducted at Harvard has significantly influenced global policy on public health and economic development over the last century.

Usage: Usually used as a proper noun without an article.

### 2. a student or graduate

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a person who goes to or graduated from Harvard University.

For teachers: a student or alumnus of Harvard University; occasionally used to imply high academic achievement or social status.

- He is a Harvard, so people expect him to be very smart.
- Being a Harvard often opens doors in the financial sector that remain closed to graduates of less prestigious institutions.

Usage: Used as a countable noun to refer to a person.

Teaching tip: In casual conversation, calling someone 'a Harvard' can sometimes sound slightly sarcastic or imply they are elitist.

## Examples

- She studied law at Harvard.
- After years of hard work, he finally received an acceptance letter from Harvard.
- The university's endowment, the largest of its kind globally, allows Harvard to fund groundbreaking research across a vast array of scientific and humanistic disciplines.

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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.