Word
pupil
US/ˈpjupəɫ/
UK/pjˈuːpəl/
Definitions
01a student
A2 · Elementary Countable noun British English
n. a child or young person who is being taught at a school.
n. a learner, typically a child or adolescent, who is under the direct supervision of a teacher in a primary or secondary school setting.
日本語:生徒※
“The teacher asked the pupils to open their books to page forty-two.”
“The primary school has over five hundred pupils, many of whom travel from neighbouring villages to attend classes.”
Usage
In British English, 'pupil' is common for school-age children, whereas 'student' is more common for university level.
Teaching tip
While 'student' is becoming more universal, 'pupil' remains the standard term in British educational contexts for younger children.
Antonyms
02part of the eye
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. the small black circle in the middle of your eye that changes size to let in light.
n. the contractile opening in the centre of the iris of the eye, which regulates the amount of light reaching the retina.
“Your pupils get larger when you walk into a dark room.”
“The doctor shone a small light into the patient's eyes to check if the pupils reacted normally.”
Usage
Usually used in the plural when referring to both eyes.
03a follower of an expert
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. someone who studies a specific skill or subject under a famous or very talented person.
n. an individual who studies under the personal guidance of a distinguished expert, artist, or philosopher.
“The famous painter had many pupils who later became successful themselves.”
“As a young man, he was a devoted pupil of the great philosopher, spending years studying his mentor's complex theories.”
Teaching tip
This sense is more common in historical or artistic contexts than in everyday modern conversation.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “pupil” in context.
Verb
01. contract the pupils
“Bright sunlight causes the muscles in the eye to contract the pupils.”
verb + noun
02. teach a pupil
“It is a rewarding experience to teach a pupil who is eager to learn new things.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. dilated pupils
“The doctor noticed that the patient's dilated pupils did not react to the light.”
adj + noun
04. former pupil
“The school invited a former pupil who is now a famous scientist to give a speech.”
adj + noun
05. gifted pupil
“The music teacher quickly realized she was teaching an exceptionally gifted pupil.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. number of pupils
“The total number of pupils in the classroom has increased significantly this year.”
noun + of + noun
07. pupil performance
“The headteacher is responsible for monitoring pupil performance across all subjects.”
noun + noun
Real-World Examples
“In other words, Michigan would need to spend more per pupil now to reach the same level of student achievement based on the kinds of students it serves.” “The school now has 1,059 pupils and 30 teachers – Sahra is the head teacher.” “Some teachers and pupils have fainted, while others say they have had to buy fans and window shades out of their own pockets to try to keep themselves and their pupils safe.” Etymology
From Middle English pupille, from Anglo-Norman pupille (“orphan”), from Latin pūpillus (“orphan, minor”), variant of pūpulus (“little boy”), from pūpus (“child, boy”).
From Middle English pupille, from Old French pupille, from Latin pūpilla (“pupil; little girl, doll”), named because of the small reflected image seen when looking into someone's eye.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domains
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/pupil
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0