university
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for university, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An institution of higher education offering degrees, teaching, and research.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use university
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French universite, from Medieval Latin universitas, originally meaning "a community or guild of persons," from Latin universus ("whole, entire").
Full origin of university →Frequently asked questions
What does “university” mean?
The word “university” means an institution of higher education offering degrees, teaching, and research. In plain terms, a school for higher-level study after secondary school, offering degrees.
How do you pronounce “university”?
“University” is pronounced yoo-nih-VUR-suh-tee (/ˌjunəˈvərsədi/ in IPA).
How do you use “university” in a sentence?
Here is “university” used in a sentence: “She is studying biology at university.”
What is another word for “university”?
Words with a similar meaning to “university” include academy, college, institute, uni and varsity.
What part of speech is “university”?
“University” is a noun.
Where does the word “university” come from?
The word “university” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French universite, from Medieval Latin universitas, originally meaning "a community or guild of persons," from Latin universus ("whole, entire").
Is “university” a common word?
“University” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a university and a college?
A university is a large institution that awards degrees across many subjects and usually carries out research, often housing several colleges or faculties. A college is generally smaller, may focus on undergraduate teaching, and in some countries offers diplomas rather than full degrees. Usage varies: in the US, "college" often just means higher education generally.
What are the types of universities?
Universities come in several forms: public universities funded largely by the state, and private ones funded by fees and endowments. Others are known for a focus, such as research universities, technical universities, and open or distance-learning universities. They range from ancient, historic institutions to modern campuses built in recent decades.
What is an example of a university?
Oxford, Harvard, and the University of Tokyo are well-known examples: large institutions offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees across many disciplines while conducting research. On a smaller scale, any accredited body that teaches students to degree level and grants those qualifications counts as a university, whatever its size or age.