English Reference
noun

tuition

n.
US /tjuˈɪʃən/ UK /tjuːˈɪʃən/ tu·ition UK spelling tuitions

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate American English

    the money you pay to a school, college, or university for your education.

    the fee charged for instruction at an educational institution, particularly in higher education.

    Simple

    The university decided to increase tuition for the next academic year.

    In context

    Rising tuition costs have forced many students to seek part-time employment or take out substantial loans to cover their degrees.

    Usage

    Often used as an uncountable noun or as part of the compound 'tuition fees'.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    teaching or training, especially when it is done for one person or a small group.

    the act or process of providing instruction, typically in a private or small-group setting.

    Simple

    She needed extra tuition in maths to pass her final exams.

    In context

    The school provides individual tuition for students who require additional support with their literacy skills.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the UK and Ireland to refer to the teaching itself rather than the cost.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Dialect

    private lessons that you pay for outside of your regular school hours.

    supplementary private classes or tutoring sessions taken outside of the formal school system.

    Simple

    Many children go to tuition after school to prepare for their national exams.

    In context

    The demand for private tuition has created a competitive industry of learning centres catering to ambitious students.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is particularly common in Singapore, Malaysia, and India, where 'tuition' often refers to after-school coaching centres.

    private lessonscoaching
  4. 04 C2 Proficiency Archaic

    the act of looking after or protecting someone.

    the state of being under the care, protection, or guardianship of another.

    Simple

    The young orphan was placed under the tuition of a local nobleman.

    In context

    In the historical manuscript, the author describes his early years spent under the strict tuition of his uncle.

Usage tuition fees

Beyond tuition, students get mentoring, leadership training and the chance to connect with others walking the same path – young people trying to finish a degree while their country is at war.

UN News· 9 Aug 2026

Rignol paid Yale $208,500 in tuition for its Executive MBA program.

Ars Technica· 31 Jul 2026

From Old French [Term?], from Latin tuitiō (“guard, protection, defense”), from tuēri (“to watch, guard, see, observe”). Compare intuition, tutor.

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

This entry
Origin Latin tuitiō
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated