Word
university
Phoneticsuni·ver·si·ty
US/ˌjunəˈvɝsəti/
UK/jˌuːnɪvˈɜːsɪtˌi/
Definitions
01the institution
A1 · Beginner Countable noun
n. a place of higher learning where you study for a degree after high school.
n. an institution of higher education that provides facilities for teaching and research and has the power to grant academic degrees.
“My brother is studying history at university in London.”
“The university recently secured a significant government grant to expand its research facilities in the department of molecular biology.”
Usage
In British English, 'at university' functions like 'at school' to describe a student's status; in American English, 'at college' is more common.
Pitfall
She is going to the university next year.
She is going to university next year.
In British English, when talking about being a student there, do not use 'the' before university. American English usually prefers 'college'.
02the whole group
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Archaic
n. a very old way to describe a whole group of people or things.
n. the entirety of a group or the whole body of a particular class of people.
“The university of the human race shares certain basic needs.”
“The speaker addressed the university of the faithful, calling for a collective effort to preserve their shared traditions.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “university” in context.
Confusables
College usually describes smaller institutions or undergraduate studies, while university refers to larger institutions that grant both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
RememberCollege is for the campus; university is for the research.
Related words
Idioms
- 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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
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