English Reference

Word

sorority

Phoneticssoror·i·ty

US/sɝˈɔɹəti/

UK/sɔːɹˈɒɹɪti/

Definitions

01university social club

C1

n. a social club for female students at a college or university, often with its own house.

n. a social organization of female students at a college or university, typically identified by Greek letters and often residential.

“She decided to join a sorority during her first year at university to meet new friends.”

“The university's oldest sorority recently celebrated its centennial, highlighting a long history of community service and networking among its female graduates.”

American English

Usage

The term is primarily used in the United States and the Philippines; in other English-speaking countries, 'society' or 'club' is more common.

Teaching tip

While 'fraternity' can sometimes refer to mixed-gender groups, 'sorority' is strictly for women.

Synonyms

sisterhoodGreek-letter organization

Antonyms

02a sisterhood

C2

n. a group of women who share the same interests, goals, or profession.

n. a group of women associated for a common purpose or sharing a common bond; a sisterhood.

“The female pilots felt a strong sense of sorority within the male-dominated industry.”

“The novel explores the deep sorority between the three protagonists as they navigate the challenges of the early twentieth century.”

Formal · Literary

Teaching tip

In this sense, the word is less about a specific club and more about the emotional bond between women.

Real-World Examples

“She is drawn into a mysterious sorority of “Sirens” and desperate to fit in.”
The Guardian · 27 Sept 2026
“You have to ask yourself why that is in such a small town.” Aspects of fraternity and sorority culture have started to blend with the upper-class experience of British university, some students say.”
The Guardian · 27 Sept 2026
“Risks are also higher for students involved in fraternities or sororities .”
The Conversation · 3 Sept 2026

Etymology

PIE word *swésōr From Renaissance Latin sorōritās, from Latin soror (“sister”), from Proto-Indo-European *swésōr. Akin to Spanish sororidad, Portuguese sororidade, French sororité.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference