tertiary

5 synonyms for tertiary, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adjective — Third in order, rank or importance, coming after primary and secondary.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

third higher

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

third-level third-order post-secondary

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adjective

Third in order, rank or importance, coming after primary and secondary.

“Tertiary causes of the collapse were noted but not investigated.”

third-level third-order third

2. adjective

Relating to education that comes after secondary school, such as university or college.

“Around half of school leavers go on to tertiary education.”

post-secondary higher

How to use tertiary

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

tertiary education tertiary sector tertiary care tertiary colours

Formal and technical, common in medicine, education policy, economics and colour theory.

Etymology

From Latin tertiarius 'of or containing a third part', from tertius 'third'.

Full origin of tertiary →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between primary, secondary and tertiary?

Primary is first, secondary is second and tertiary is third in a ranked sequence. In healthcare, primary care is your GP, secondary care is a hospital specialist you are referred to, and tertiary care is a highly specialised centre for complex cases.

What is tertiary education?

Tertiary education is any formal study undertaken after secondary school, including universities, technical institutes and vocational colleges. The term is standard in Britain, Australia and New Zealand, where Americans would usually say higher education or college.

What are tertiary colours?

Tertiary colours are made by mixing a primary colour with a neighbouring secondary colour, giving shades such as red-orange, yellow-green and blue-violet. There are six of them on a standard twelve-part colour wheel.

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