tuition
tyoo-IH-shuhn
Tuition (noun) means teaching or instruction, especially given individually or in small groups. Example: “He receives private tuition in French every Tuesday after school.”
noun
1
Teaching or instruction, especially given individually or in small groups.
"He receives private tuition in French every Tuesday after school."
"The college offers free tuition in English for new arrivals."
"She hired a maths tutor for extra tuition before the exam."
2
(chiefly US) The fees charged for instruction at a school, college, or university.
"Many students take out loans to cover their tuition and living costs."
"The college announced that tuition will be lower for local residents."
"Tuition at the private university rises a little every year."
How to use tuition
Learner’s notes
UK vs US
In American English, "tuition" usually means the money paid for schooling. In British English it more often means the teaching itself, with "tuition fees" used for the cost.
Common pairings
pay tuition
private tuition
tuition fees
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like tuition.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- tuitions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He receives private _____ in French every Tuesday after school.
Etymology
From Latin tuitiō ("protection, guardianship"), from tuērī ("to watch over"); the meaning narrowed over time from general "care" to specifically the care and instruction given by a teacher.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for tuition
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for tuition →
Frequently asked questions
What does “tuition” mean?
The word “tuition” means teaching or instruction, especially given individually or in small groups.
How do you pronounce “tuition”?
“Tuition” is pronounced tyoo-IH-shuhn (/tuˈɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “tuition” in a sentence?
Here is “tuition” used in a sentence: “She hired a maths tutor for extra tuition before the exam.”
What part of speech is “tuition”?
“Tuition” is a noun.
Where does the word “tuition” come from?
The word “tuition” comes from Latin. From Latin tuitiō ("protection, guardianship"), from tuērī ("to watch over"); the meaning narrowed over time from general "care" to specifically the care and instruction given by a teacher.
Is “tuition” a common word?
“Tuition” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “tuition” have?
“Tuition” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: teaching or instruction, especially given individually or in small groups.
What is the difference between "tuition" and "tutoring"?
"Tuition" is teaching or instruction, especially given individually or in small groups. "Tutoring" is the act of a tutor giving that instruction, usually one to one. In British English the two are close, though "tuition" can also refer to the teaching more abstractly.
Why does "tuition" mean fees in America but teaching in Britain?
In British English, "tuition" chiefly means the teaching or instruction itself, as in private tuition. In American English, "tuition" most often means the fees charged for that instruction, which British speakers usually call "tuition fees" or just "fees."
What is the difference between "tuition" and "education"?
"Tuition" is specifically teaching or instruction, often in a focused subject or small setting. "Education" is the whole, broader process of learning and development, including schooling, knowledge, and personal growth. Tuition is one part of a wider education.
