Word
preschool
US/ˈpɹiˌskuɫ/
UK/pɹˈiːskuːl/
Definitions
01early childhood school
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. a school for children between the ages of about three and five.
n. an educational establishment for children too young for compulsory primary education, typically serving the three-to-five age range.
“The children learn to share and play together at preschool.”
“Enrolling the twins in a local preschool helped them develop the social skills necessary for a smooth transition to primary school next year.”
Usage
Often used without an article in phrases like 'at preschool' or 'go to preschool'.
Teaching tip
In the US, 'preschool' usually precedes 'kindergarten', whereas in other regions, 'preschool' may include the kindergarten year.
Synonyms
02relating to early childhood
B1 · Intermediate
adj. describing the years of a child's life before they start primary school.
adj. relating to the period in a child's life between infancy and the start of formal primary education.
Español:preescolar
“Many preschool children enjoy listening to stories and drawing pictures.”
“The study focused on the cognitive development of preschool children from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.”
Usage
Attributive use only; it always appears before the noun it describes.
Synonyms
03to attend or provide nursery school
C2 · Proficiency Technical
v. to go to preschool or to provide that kind of education for a child.
v. to educate a child in a nursery school setting or to attend such an institution.
“They decided to preschool their daughter at a Montessori centre.”
“The government is looking for ways to ensure that every child is preschooling by the age of four.”
Usage
Can be used transitively with the child as the object or intransitively.
Etymology
From pre- + school.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/preschool
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0