pupil
PYOO-puhl
Pupil (noun) means a student, especially a younger one being taught under a teacher's supervision. Example: “The teacher praised her star pupil for the excellent essay.”
noun
1
A student, especially a younger one being taught under a teacher's supervision.
"The teacher praised her star pupil for the excellent essay."
"Pupils lined up outside the classroom before the bell rang."
"Each pupil in the class was given a new reading book."
2
The round opening in the center of the eye's iris that lets light in.
"The doctor shone a light in his eye to check how quickly the pupil contracted."
"In bright light the pupil of your eye becomes much smaller."
"The optician said his left pupil looked slightly larger than the right."
How to use pupil
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a student in school, or the black circle in the middle of your eye.
Common pairings
a promising pupil
dilated pupil
former pupil
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Word forms
- Plural
- pupils
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The teacher praised her star _____ for the excellent essay.
Etymology
From Latin pupillus ("orphan, ward, little boy"), a diminutive of pupus ("child"). The eye sense comes from the same Latin word because of the tiny reflected image of a person visible in someone's eye, like a miniature "little person."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “pupil” mean?
The word “pupil” means a student, especially a younger one being taught under a teacher's supervision. In plain terms, either a student in school, or the black circle in the middle of your eye.
How do you pronounce “pupil”?
“Pupil” is pronounced PYOO-puhl (/ˈpjuːpəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “pupil” in a sentence?
Here is “pupil” used in a sentence: “The teacher praised her star pupil for the excellent essay.”
What part of speech is “pupil”?
“Pupil” is a noun.
Where does the word “pupil” come from?
The word “pupil” comes from Latin.
Is “pupil” a common word?
“Pupil” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “pupil” have?
“Pupil” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a student, especially a younger one being taught under a teacher's supervision.
What is the difference between a pupil and a student?
A pupil is typically a younger learner who is under a teacher's direct supervision, such as a child at school. "Student" is a broader term that also covers older learners, including those at college or university studying more independently.
Why does the eye also have a part called the pupil?
The pupil of the eye is the round opening at the center of the iris that lets light into the eye. It shares its name with the school sense purely by coincidence of English vocabulary, not because the two meanings are related.
What is the difference between the pupil and the iris of the eye?
The pupil is the opening itself, while the iris is the colored ring of muscle surrounding it that controls how wide or narrow the pupil becomes. The iris adjusts to control how much light passes through the pupil.
Is "pupil" a formal or old-fashioned word for a school student?
"Pupil" is common in British English, especially for describing children in primary and secondary schools under a teacher's care. It sounds slightly more formal or traditional than "student," which is used more broadly across ages and settings.
