syllabus

syllabus — noun

1. A written document that teachers give to their students at the start of a class,

1.nounB1
Definition

A written document that teachers give to their students at the start of a class, listing which topics will be taught, what materials will be used, and what assignments or tests are required.

Example

Professor Mathieu handed out the syllabus on the first day and explained the grading.

collocation: hand out the syllabus (first-day distribution context)

Shanti checked the syllabus to see which chapters would be on the midterm exam.

collocation: check the syllabus for [information]

Common collocations
  • hand out / distribute the syllabus
  • check / read / follow the syllabus
  • course / class syllabus
  • syllabus for [subject / course name]
  • syllabus of [subject]
Synonyms
  • curriculum

    broader scope: an entire program of study across a school or department, not just a single course

  • course outline

    more informal; often a simpler list of topics without grading policies or detailed policies

  • schedule

    narrower: usually just a list of due dates and exam dates, not the full course plan

Grammar Patterns

syllabus + of + [subject]

syllabus + for + [course]

the + syllabus

Usage Note

Commonly distributed at the start of a term. The plural can be either syllabuses (more frequent in everyday use) or syllabi (from Latin, common in academic writing).

Common Mistakes

The school syllabus covers all subjects from primary to secondary.
The school curriculum covers all subjects from primary to secondary.
syllabus refers to one specific course; curriculum covers the entire program of study at an institution.

Word family

  • syllabuses
    nounB1
  • syllabi
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Syllabus, curriculum, course outline, and schedule all refer to academic plans but differ in scope and formality. A syllabus is a document for one specific course covering topics, readings, assignments, and policies — usually handed out at the start of the term. A curriculum is much broader, covering the entire program of study across a school or qualification (e.g., the national curriculum for secondary schools). A course outline is a more informal term that may simply list weekly topics without including grading or attendance policies. A schedule is narrower still, often just a list of dates and deadlines. For example, a student looks at the syllabus to find the late-submission policy but checks the schedule for quiz dates.

syllabus ↗curriculum ↗course outlineschedule ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • on the syllabus
  • syllabus for [course]

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

Syllabus entered English in the 17th century from Late Latin syllabus, which arose from a misreading of the Greek word sittuba (σίττυβα), meaning a parchment label or table of contents attached to a scroll. The original sense was a short summary or list. Over time it narrowed to specifically mean a course outline in educational contexts.