Word
sorority
Phoneticssoror·i·ty
US/sɝˈɔɹəti/
UK/sɔːɹˈɒɹɪti/
Definitions
01university social club
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
Antonyms
02a sisterhood
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.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“She is drawn into a mysterious sorority of “Sirens” and desperate to fit in.” “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.” “Risks are also higher for students involved in fraternities or sororities .” 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.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/sorority