Enrol Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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enrol

[ɪnˈrəʊl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

education

Enroll means to officially join a course, school, or group. It involves signing up for a program or activity.

Synonyms

join, register, sign up.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
enrol

Typically used in formal educational settings when someone is officially entering into a course, school, or university.

  • She decided to enrol in a master's program.
  • You need to enrol in this course before the deadline.
register

Used when signing up for official or formal documents, events, or programs. It implies recording personal information in an official list.

  • You need to register for the conference online.
  • Please register your car at the DMV.
sign up

Used in informal or semi-formal contexts, typically when someone adds their name to a list to participate in activities, services, or newsletters.

  • You can sign up for free yoga classes.
  • She signed up for the event yesterday.
join

A more general term often used for becoming a member of any group or organization, whether formal or informal.

  • I want to join the chess club.
  • She joined the team last week.

Examples of usage

  • She decided to enroll in a Spanish language course.
  • He enrolled his son in the local soccer team.
  • Students must enroll in their classes before the semester starts.
Context #2 | Verb

technology

Enroll can also refer to the process of adding a new device or user to a system, such as fingerprint enrollment on a phone.

Synonyms

add, incorporate, register.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
enrol

Use this when talking about joining a course, school, or some kind of organized learning. It often implies a formal process.

  • She decided to enrol in a cooking class.
  • You need to enrol before the deadline.
register

This term is commonly used for official or formal sign-ups, like for events, memberships, or legal documents. It implies a record or database.

  • You must register to vote.
  • I need to register my car.
add

This is a general term that can be used in a variety of contexts, like including something among a number of others. It's less formal.

  • Can you add my name to the list?
  • Please add a bit more salt to the soup.
incorporate

Use this when you are talking about including something as part of a whole system or group. It often has a formal or business context.

  • The new policy will incorporate feedback from all departments.
  • We need to incorporate these new features into the app.

Examples of usage

  • I need to enroll my new smartphone in the company's security system.
  • The software prompts you to enroll your fingerprint for added security.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Education

  • Many countries have specific age limits for enrolment in primary education, often starting around age 5.
  • Online platforms have revolutionized enrolment, allowing learners from all over the world to access courses easily.
  • In some educational systems, students can re-enrol in courses they previously failed, promoting a second chance at learning.

Cultural Practices

  • In several cultures, community learning programs encourage the enrolment of all ages, enhancing intergenerational relationships.
  • Some festivals and cultural events, like summer camps, require enrolment for participation, meaning people must sign up ahead of time.

Psychology

  • Studies show that individuals are more likely to enrol in programs they perceive as beneficial for their personal growth.
  • Peer influence often plays a significant role in the decision to enrol, as friends signing up can motivate others to join.

Technology

  • Virtual reality environments are now being used to create engaging enrolment processes for educational institutions.
  • Mobile apps have simplified the enrolment process for many courses, allowing users to sign up from anywhere at any time.

Origin of 'enrol'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'in' meaning 'in' and 'rollare' meaning 'to roll', giving the sense of rolling people's names into a list.
  • The spelling 'enroll' is more common in American English, while 'enrol' is used in British English.

The word 'enroll' originated from the Old French word 'enroller', which came from the Latin word 'enrollare', meaning to inscribe or enter in a roll. The term has been used in the English language since the 14th century.


See also: enroll, roll, roller, rollerblader, rolling, rollout, unroll, unrolled.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,838, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.