Cool MateUndergraduate
UK /["/ˌʌndəˈɡrædʒuət/","/ˈʌndəɡræd/"]/US /["/ˌʌndərˈɡrædʒuət/","/ˈʌndərɡræd/"]/
Definition
a university or college student who is studying for their first degree
In simple words: A student who is studying for their first degree, usually a bachelor's degree.
Examples
- a first-year undergraduate
- an **undergraduate course/student/degree**
- She teaches physics at undergraduate level.
- during her undergraduate years at the University of California
- memoirs of his undergraduate career at the University of Toronto
Usage notes
Used primarily in academic contexts. It's appropriate when discussing college education levels. Avoid in casual discussions unless referring to education specifically.
Grammar pattern
standalone noun
Memory hint
Think of 'under' meaning below and 'graduate' meaning someone who has completed a degree - an undergraduate hasn't graduated yet.
Collocations
- college
- university
- Harvard
- course
- curriculum
- degree
Synonyms
- freshman
- sophomore
- junior
- senior
Antonyms
- graduate
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'graduate' which refers to someone who has completed their degree.
- Used as a verb instead of a noun.
- Incorrectly spelled as 'undergradute'.