graduate
B1Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
To complete a course of study at a university or college and receive a degree or diploma.
To move from one level or stage to a higher or more advanced one; a person who has completed a degree; relating to postgraduate study.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word functions as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it can be used transitively (graduate from) and intransitively (graduate university). As a noun, it refers to the person. The adjective form 'graduate' typically modifies nouns related to education level (e.g., graduate student).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'graduate' as a verb is typically followed by 'from' (graduate from university). In American English, it can be used transitively without 'from' (graduate university), though 'from' is also common. The noun 'graduate' in the UK often specifically means someone with a first degree (undergraduate), while in the US it can refer to anyone who has completed any level of study (high school graduate, college graduate).
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of achievement and transition. In the US, 'graduate' (verb) used transitively (e.g., 'She graduated Yale') is considered standard by some but is still debated stylistically.
Frequency
The verb is extremely high frequency in both varieties. The transitive use (without 'from') is significantly more frequent in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SBJ] graduate (from [OBJ])[SBJ] graduate [OBJ] (AmE)[SBJ] graduate as [COMP][SBJ] graduate with [a degree/honours]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Graduate with flying colours”
- “Graduate to something (move on to)”
- “Fresh out of graduate school”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to recruitment schemes (graduate trainee, graduate intake) and the qualifications of employees.
Academic
Central term for completing a degree; refers to postgraduate study (graduate studies, graduate faculty).
Everyday
Used to discuss educational milestones of oneself, family, or friends.
Technical
In statistics or measurement, can mean to mark with degrees for measuring (a graduated cylinder).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She will graduate from the University of Edinburgh next summer.
- He graduated with a first-class degree in Law.
American English
- She graduated Harvard Law School in 2020.
- He plans to graduate this spring and start work immediately.
adverb
British English
- This module is taught at a graduate level.
- The fees differ for undergraduate and graduate study.
American English
- She is studying graduate-level statistics.
- The position requires graduate training in the field.
adjective
British English
- She is applying for graduate entry medicine.
- The university offers several graduate diplomas.
American English
- He is a graduate student in the physics department.
- They met in a graduate seminar on modern poetry.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My sister will graduate next year.
- He is a university graduate.
- After I graduate, I want to travel for a few months.
- She graduated from a good university with a degree in engineering.
- Having graduated with distinction, she was immediately offered a research position.
- The graduate employment rate has fallen slightly this year.
- The programme is designed to graduate students who are critical thinkers and effective communicators.
- He graduated summa cum laude and went on to pursue a doctorate.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'grad' in 'graduate' as related to 'grade' or 'step'. You take a step up (a graduation) in your education.
Conceptual Metaphor
EDUCATION IS A JOURNEY / ACHIEVEMENT IS UP: 'She graduated and moved up in her career.'
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'graduate school' as 'школа выпускников'. It is 'аспирантура' or 'магистратура'.
- A 'graduate' (noun) is 'выпускник', but a 'graduate student' is 'аспирант' or 'магистрант', not 'студент-выпускник'.
- The verb 'to graduate' is 'окончить (вуз)' or 'закончить (вуз)', not 'градуировать' (which is for marking scales).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'graduate' as a noun for the ceremony (correct: 'graduation').
- Saying 'I am graduated' instead of 'I have graduated' or 'I graduated'.
- In BrE, omitting 'from' (e.g., 'I graduated Oxford' is considered AmE influence).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence is considered standard in British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
This is primarily an American English usage. In British English and in more formal contexts everywhere, 'I graduated from university' is preferred.
A 'graduate' is anyone who has completed a degree. A 'postgraduate' (noun) or 'graduate student' (AmE) is specifically someone studying for a higher degree (e.g., Master's, PhD) after their first degree.
In American English, yes (high school graduate). In British English, you typically 'leave school' or 'finish school'. 'Graduate' is reserved for higher education, though this is changing due to AmE influence.
The event is called a 'graduation' (ceremony). The word 'graduate' is the person or the action.