Dictionary
1graduate
noun grad·u·ate \ˈgra-jə-wət, -ˌwāt, ˈgraj-wət\
: a person who has earned a degree or diploma from a school, college, or university
Full Definition of GRADUATE
1
: a holder of an academic degree or diploma
2
: a graduated cup, cylinder, or flask
See graduate defined for English-language learners
See graduate defined for kids
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First Known Use of GRADUATE
15th century
Other Education Terms
Rhymes with GRADUATE
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2graduate
adjective
: of or relating to a course of studies taken at a college or university after earning a bachelor's degree or other first degree
Full Definition of GRADUATE
1
: holding an academic degree or diploma
2
: of, relating to, or engaged in studies beyond the first or bachelor's degree <graduate school> <a graduate student>
See graduate defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of GRADUATE
15th century
Other Education Terms
3graduate
verb grad·u·ate \ˈgra-jə-ˌwāt\
: to earn a degree or diploma from a school, college, or university
of a school, college, or university : to award a degree or diploma to (a student)
: to earn a degree or diploma from (a school, college, or university)
grad·u·at·edgrad·u·at·ing
Full Definition of GRADUATE
transitive verb
1
a : to grant an academic degree or diploma to b : to be graduated from
2
a : to mark with degrees of measurement b : to divide into grades or intervals
3
: to admit to a particular standing or grade
intransitive verb
1
: to receive an academic degree or diploma
2
: to pass from one stage of experience, proficiency, or prestige to a usually higher one
See graduate defined for English-language learners
Usage Discussion of GRADUATE
In the 19th century the transitive sense (1a) was prescribed; the intransitive <I graduated from college> was condemned. The intransitive prevailed nonetheless, and today it is the sense likely to be prescribed and the newer transitive sense (1b) <she graduated high school> the one condemned. All three are standard. The intransitive is currently the most common, the new transitive the least common.
Origin of GRADUATE
Middle English, from Medieval Latin graduatus, past participle of graduare, from Latin gradus step, degree
First Known Use: 15th century
GRADUATE Defined for Kids
1graduate
noun grad·u·ate \ˈgra-jə-wət\
Definition of GRADUATE for Kids
: a person who has completed the required course of study in a college or school
2graduate
verb grad·u·ate \ˈgra-jə-ˌwāt\
grad·u·at·edgrad·u·at·ing
Definition of GRADUATE for Kids
: to finish a course of study : become a graduate
Learn More About GRADUATE
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