# Uni

/ˈjuni/ (US) · /jˈuːni/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/uni
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. university

noun · CEFR A2 · Informal · British English

a short, informal word for university.

For teachers: an informal clipping of university, widely used in British, Australian, and New Zealand English.

- She is planning to study engineering when she goes to uni next year.
- After finishing his A-levels, he decided to take a gap year before starting uni to travel through Southeast Asia.

Usage: Often used without an article when referring to the institution or the period of study.

### 2. sea urchin

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the part of a sea urchin that you eat, often served in sushi.

For teachers: the edible gonads of a sea urchin, considered a delicacy in Japanese cuisine.

- The sushi chef prepared a fresh piece of uni for the final course.
- Known for its creamy texture and briny flavour, high-quality uni is one of the most expensive items on a traditional omakase menu.

### 3. unicycle

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · Slang

a short way to say unicycle, which is a cycle with only one wheel.

For teachers: an informal clipping of unicycle, referring to a vehicle with a single wheel.

- He practiced riding his uni in the park every afternoon.
- The circus performer demonstrated remarkable balance while juggling clubs atop a six-foot-tall uni.

## Examples

- I am starting uni next month.
- Most of my friends from uni moved to London after we finished our final exams.
- While the academic workload was intense, the social connections made at uni proved to be the most valuable part of the entire experience.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.