Mortarboard: meaning, definitions and examples

This is often used in informal situations or among laypeople. It generally refers to the traditional square hat worn by graduates during graduation ceremonies.

• Jake couldn't wait to throw his mortarboard in the air.
• She looked so proud in her mortarboard and gown.

This is a commonly used term and is suitable for most audiences. It specifically refers to the cap worn during graduation ceremonies by students.

• She decorated her graduation cap with colorful stickers and quotes.
• The graduation caps were all lined up, ready for the ceremony.

This term is generally more formal and is used in academic or institutional settings. It refers specifically to the traditional headgear worn during academic ceremonies.

• The professors wore their academic caps during the convocation.
• The university provided new academic caps for the commencement ceremony.