A1noun1K

Course

UK /["/kɔːs/"]/US /["/kɔːrs/"]/

Definition

a series of lessons or lectures on a particular subject

In simple words: A series of lessons about a particular subject.

Examples

  • I am taking a math course this semester.
  • The river took a sharp course around the mountain.
  • She plans to enroll in a cooking course next month.
  • We changed our course during the hike to avoid the storm.
  • The course of a conversation can change quickly.
  • He taught an online course about computer programming.
  • The ship was on a course towards the harbor.
  • I finished my English course last week with high marks.

Usage notes

Used in academic and professional contexts. Not typically used in casual conversation unless discussing education or training.

Grammar pattern

take + course

Memory hint

Imagine you are on a guided course through a forest, learning at each stop.

Collocations

  • give somebody
  • put somebody on
  • prescribe (somebody)
  • course of
  • full-time
  • part-time
  • one-year
  • offer
  • run
  • complete
  • golf
  • nine-hole
  • obstacle
  • complete
  • build
  • design
  • golf
  • nine-hole
  • obstacle
  • complete
  • build
  • design
  • main
  • first
  • second
  • for a/​the course
  • alter
  • change
  • reverse
  • off course
  • on course
  • on a collision course
  • be blown off course
  • alter
  • change
  • reverse
  • off course
  • on course
  • on a collision course
  • be blown off course
  • best
  • better
  • prudent
  • adopt
  • choose
  • follow
  • be open to somebody
  • a course of action
  • natural
  • normal
  • usual
  • change
  • reverse
  • affect
  • during the course of
  • in the course of
  • the course of history
  • in due course
  • in the normal course of events
  • alter
  • change
  • reverse
  • off course
  • on course
  • on a collision course
  • be blown off course
  • give somebody
  • put somebody on
  • prescribe (somebody)
  • course of

Synonyms

  • norm
  • normally

Antonyms

  • disorganization
  • chaos

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'course' vs 'coarse' (texture).
  • Using 'course' to mean a single lesson instead of a series.
  • Saying 'course' like it refers to any subject (it refers specifically to organized classes).