noun
Uncommon
uni
OO-nee
Uni (noun) means informal British/Australian term for university. Example: “She's off to uni in September to study law.”
noun
1
Informal British/Australian term for university.
"She's off to uni in September to study law."
"He met his best friends during his first year at uni."
"My brother lives in a shared house near his uni, which saves him travelling."
2
Sea urchin roe, served as a delicacy in Japanese cuisine, especially sushi.
"The chef recommended the uni nigiri as the highlight of the menu."
"Uni has a creamy, sweet taste that some diners love and others avoid."
"We ordered a small plate of uni, which arrived fresh and bright orange."
How to use uni
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCasual short form of "university" — or, in a food context, sea urchin roe.
When to use it
The university sense is informal, mostly used in British and Australian English; Americans typically say "college" instead.
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She's off to _____ in September to study law.
Etymology
The university sense is simply a shortening of "university". The sushi sense comes from Japanese uni, referring to sea urchin roe.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for uni
See all rhymes for uni →Frequently asked questions
What does “uni” mean?
The word “uni” means informal British/Australian term for university. In plain terms, casual short form of "university" — or, in a food context, sea urchin roe.
How do you pronounce “uni”?
“Uni” is pronounced OO-nee (/ˈuː.niː/ in IPA).
How do you use “uni” in a sentence?
Here is “uni” used in a sentence: “She's off to uni in September to study law.”
What part of speech is “uni”?
“Uni” is a noun.
Where does the word “uni” come from?
The word “uni” comes from Japanese. The university sense is simply a shortening of "university". The sushi sense comes from Japanese uni, referring to sea urchin roe.
Is “uni” a common word?
“Uni” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “uni” have?
“Uni” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal British/Australian term for university.
What is the difference between uni and university?
Uni is an informal shortening of university, commonly used in British and Australian English in casual conversation, such as 'I'm off to uni.' University is the full, formal term used in writing and official contexts.
Is uni used in American English?
Uni is mainly used in British and Australian English; American English speakers typically say 'college' instead in informal contexts. This makes uni a useful marker of regional dialect in casual speech.
Why does uni also refer to a type of food?
Uni is a separate sense of the word referring to sea urchin roe, served as a delicacy in Japanese cuisine, especially in sushi. This meaning comes from Japanese and is unrelated to the informal British term for university.
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