school
skool
School (noun) means an institution where people, especially children, go to be taught. Example: “She walks to school every morning with her brother.”
noun
1
An institution where people, especially children, go to be taught.
"She walks to school every morning with her brother."
"The new school opened its doors to 500 students this year."
"My little sister starts school this September and she is very excited."
2
A department or division of a university dedicated to one subject area.
"He is studying law at the school of law."
"The medical school accepts only a small number of applicants each year."
"She applied to the business school at her local university."
3
A group of people who share the same ideas, style, or approach.
"She belongs to the school of thought that believes practice matters more than talent."
"The painting shows the influence of the Dutch school."
"The two chefs belong to the same school of cooking."
4
A large group of fish or sea creatures such as dolphins swimming together.
"A school of tuna passed beneath the boat."
"A school of small silver fish darted around the divers."
"We watched a school of dolphins race alongside the ferry."
verb
1
To teach or train someone, often strictly.
"He was schooled at home until the age of ten."
"She schooled her opponent in the final set of the match."
"The coach worked hard to school the young players in good habits."
How to use school
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA place where people go to learn, or by extension, a group sharing the same ideas or a group of fish swimming together.
Common mistake
In American English "school" often means any level from kindergarten through university; in British English it usually means primary or secondary education, with "university" used separately.
Common pairings
go to school
school of thought
a school of fish
old school
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Word forms
- Plural
- schools
- Third person singular
- schools
- Past tense
- schooled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She walks to _____ every morning with her brother.
Etymology
From Old English scōl, borrowed from Latin schola, itself from Greek skholē — which originally meant "leisure" or "spare time," since study was once seen as something done in one's free time.
Synonyms
View more →
academy
institution
place of learning
schoolhouse
train
educate
schooling
cultivate
shoal
civilize
civilise
schooltime
Related words
Rhymes for school
See all rhymes for school →Frequently asked questions
What does “school” mean?
The word “school” means an institution where people, especially children, go to be taught. In plain terms, a place where people go to learn, or by extension, a group sharing the same ideas or a group of fish swimming together.
How do you pronounce “school”?
“School” is pronounced skool (/skul/ in IPA).
How do you use “school” in a sentence?
Here is “school” used in a sentence: “She walks to school every morning with her brother.”
What part of speech is “school”?
Depending on how it is used, “school” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “school” come from?
The word “school” comes from Latin. From Old English scōl, borrowed from Latin schola, itself from Greek skholē — which originally meant "leisure" or "spare time," since study was once seen as something done in one's free time.
Is “school” a common word?
“School” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “school” have?
“School” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an institution where people, especially children, go to be taught.
What is the difference between school and college?
In British usage, school covers primary and secondary education for children up to about sixteen, while college usually means further education for those aged sixteen to eighteen, or vocational study. In American usage, "college" often means university. The meaning shifts depending on the country and the stage of education involved.
What are the different types of school?
Schools are grouped by age and by funding. By age there are nursery, primary, and secondary schools. By type there are state schools, private or independent schools, grammar schools, faith schools, and boarding schools. Each serves a different stage or approach, though all share the core purpose of teaching.
What is the difference between school and university?
School provides general education for children and teenagers, with a set timetable and compulsory attendance. University is higher education for adults, usually after eighteen, where students choose a subject and study for a degree with far more independence. School teaches a broad foundation; university specialises deeply in one chosen field.
Does 'school' only mean a place of learning?
No. Beyond the institution, "school" has other meanings. A school of fish is a large group swimming together. A school of thought is a set of shared beliefs or a particular approach within a subject. The word can also mean the act of training someone, as in "to school" a person.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing school in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Now, the school has transitioned to using laptops only for specific teacher-assigned activities.
From
Fortune · Jul 25, 2026
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