adjective
Common
graduated
Graduated (adjective) means having successfully completed a degree or course of study. Example: “My cousin is a graduated engineer and hopes to find work abroad.”
adjective
1
Having successfully completed a degree or course of study.
"My cousin is a graduated engineer and hopes to find work abroad."
"Only graduated students may apply for this training programme."
"She's a graduated nurse now working at the local hospital."
2
Marked with a scale of measurement, or arranged in increasing steps.
"Use the graduated ruler to read the length to the nearest millimetre."
"The beaker has graduated markings for measuring liquid volume."
"The tax system uses a graduated rate that rises with income."
How to use graduated
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither finished with a course of study, or arranged step by step (like markings on a measuring cup, or a tax rate that increases in stages).
Common pairings
graduated cylinder
graduated tax
graduated scale
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Synonyms
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Rhymes for graduated
See all rhymes for graduated →Frequently asked questions
What does “graduated” mean?
The word “graduated” means having successfully completed a degree or course of study. In plain terms, either finished with a course of study, or arranged step by step (like markings on a measuring cup, or a tax rate that increases in stages).
How do you use “graduated” in a sentence?
Here is “graduated” used in a sentence: “She's a graduated nurse now working at the local hospital.”
What part of speech is “graduated”?
“Graduated” is an adjective.
Is “graduated” a common word?
“Graduated” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “graduated” have?
“Graduated” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having successfully completed a degree or course of study.
What is the difference between graduated and graduate?
Graduated is an adjective or past-tense form describing someone who has completed a degree, or something marked with a scale. Graduate is the noun for a person who holds a degree and the base verb for the act of completing study.
What is the difference between graduated and gradual?
Graduated means completed a course of study, or arranged and marked in steps. Gradual means happening slowly and steadily over time. The words look alike but describe different ideas.
Is it correct to say 'graduated college' or 'graduated from college'?
In formal writing, 'graduated from college' is the traditional and widely preferred form. 'Graduated college,' without 'from,' is common in informal American speech but is often avoided in careful writing.
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