College Definition: Proper Pronunciation and Explanations

To define a “college” on a full scale, take a look at how native speakers typically use this word in various contexts while talking about education and studying.

There are not many “college” synonyms in English, but still, there are some word equivalents that refer to education in general and “colleges” in particular.

Related nouns: university school institution academy

Synonyms (contextual): undergraduate institution

Common collocations: community college liberal arts college attend college

Learn how to combine this word with other parts of speech like nouns, verbs and adjectives.

With adjectives: technical college expensive college selective college

With verbs: finish college pay for college apply to college

With nouns (noun + noun): college student college degree college campus

“College” in English has generated distinctive expressions, so take a look at them and remember how they reflect the unique experiences, challenges, and culture of higher education!

• Give it the old college try — giving something your best effort, even if success isn’t guaranteed.

  I’m not athletic, but I’ll give it the old college try and join the soccer team.

• College curriculum — the structured set of courses offered by a college.

  The college curriculum mixes theory with practical training.

• College buddies — friends you met during college.

  My college buddies and I still meet every summer.

• College dropout — someone who leaves college before graduating, often used jokingly or self-deprecatingly.

  I’m a college dropout… from my diet plan, not classes.

Check your comprehension of the description of “college” by completing this interesting quiz. Take your time and try to answer all the questions correctly!

Discover how to spell “college” in other popular European languages like German, French and Spanish.

Take a break from learning and read these interesting insights about colleges, revealing their secrets, history and importance for the development of modern society.

• The college/university distinction varies by country.

  In the United States, “college” and “university” are often used interchangeably. In the UK, “college” can mean a secondary education institution for students aged 16 to 18, or a part of a university, such as Cambridge colleges.

• College graduates earn significantly more.

  On average, college graduates earn about $1 million more over their lifetimes than high school graduates. However, the earning potential of different majors creates debate about which degrees bring the best financial returns.

• Community colleges serve half of US undergraduates.

  Nearly 50% of American undergraduates attend community colleges, which are affordable two-year institutions. They often provide pathways to four-year universities and career growth for students who cannot immediately access traditional four-year colleges.

Every “college” description in these quotations is unique since it is based on personal experience, life path and philosophy. Check out these quotes and their explanations to see if there are some common points with what you have in mind.