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Undergraduate: meaning, definitions and examples

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undergraduate

 

[ ˌʌndəˈɡradʒʊət ]

Noun / Adjective
Context #1 | Noun

education

A student who is studying for a first degree at a college or university.

Synonyms

freshman, learner, pupil, student.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
undergraduate

Use this term when referring to a university student who has not yet received a bachelor's degree.

  • She is an undergraduate studying computer science.
  • The university has many undergraduate programs.
student

A very general term for someone who is studying at an educational institution, can be used at any level of education.

  • The students are preparing for their exams.
  • She has been a student of this university for three years.
learner

A more general term for someone who is engaged in learning, it can be used in formal or informal settings and for any age group.

  • She is a quick learner and picks up new languages easily.
  • The program is designed for adult learners.
pupil

This term is typically used for young students, especially in primary or secondary school.

  • The pupils were excited about the school trip.
  • The teacher is very attentive to her pupils.
freshman

This word is used for a student in their first year of high school or university.

  • As a freshman, he found the campus quite overwhelming.
  • The freshman class is larger than usual this year.

Examples of usage

  • He is an undergraduate at Oxford University.
  • She is pursuing her undergraduate studies in biology.
  • Many undergraduates live on campus during their first year.
  • Undergraduates often have to balance their studies with part-time work.
  • Completing an undergraduate degree is a significant achievement.
Context #2 | Adjective

education

Relating to or denoting a student studying for a first degree.

Synonyms

learner, pupil, student.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
undergraduate

This term is specifically used to refer to a student who is pursuing a bachelor's degree. It is commonly used in higher education settings.

  • She is an undergraduate studying biology at the university.
  • The undergraduate program lasts for four years.
student

This is a general term used to refer to anyone who is studying, whether in school, college, university, or any other educational institution.

  • He is a student at the local community college.
  • The students were excited about the upcoming field trip.
learner

This word can be used in a broad range of contexts to refer to anyone who is acquiring new knowledge or skills, regardless of age or setting.

  • He is a quick learner and picks up new languages easily.
  • The app is designed to help learners practice math.
pupil

This word is typically used in British English to refer to a child or young person who is attending school, particularly at the primary or secondary level.

  • The teacher asked the pupil to come to the blackboard.
  • She was a diligent pupil and always did her homework on time.

Examples of usage

  • The undergraduate course requires four years of study.
  • An undergraduate thesis is a common requirement for graduation.

Translations

Translations of the word "undergraduate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 estudante de graduação

🇮🇳 स्नातक छात्र

🇩🇪 Student im Grundstudium

🇮🇩 mahasiswa sarjana

🇺🇦 бакалавр

🇵🇱 student studiów licencjackich

🇯🇵 学部生 (がくぶせい)

🇫🇷 étudiant de premier cycle

🇪🇸 estudiante de pregrado

🇹🇷 lisans öğrencisi

🇰🇷 학부생

🇸🇦 طالب جامعي

🇨🇿 bakalářský student

🇸🇰 bakalársky študent

🇨🇳 本科生

🇸🇮 dodiplomski študent

🇮🇸 grunnnámisnemi

🇰🇿 бакалавр студенті

🇬🇪 ბაკალავრიატის სტუდენტი

🇦🇿 bakalavr tələbəsi

🇲🇽 estudiante de licenciatura

Etymology

The term 'undergraduate' originated in the mid-17th century, formed by combining 'under' and 'graduate'. It refers to students who are pursuing a bachelor's degree at a college or university. The concept of undergraduate education has evolved over time, with an emphasis on academic development and preparation for future careers. Today, undergraduate programs encompass a wide range of disciplines and fields of study, providing students with a foundation for further specialization or entry into the workforce.

See also: graduation.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,186 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.