university

university — noun

1. a school where people go after completing high school to study a subject in dept

1.nounA2
Definition

a school where people go after completing high school to study a subject in depth and earn a degree at the undergraduate or graduate level

Example

Dario chose to study engineering at a university in São Paulo after high school.

choose + to study + at a university for study plans

The university library stays open until midnight during exam periods.

possessive: university + noun for locations within

Common collocations
  • attend university
  • go to university
  • study at university
  • apply to university
  • graduate from university
  • drop out of university
  • university degree
  • university student
  • university campus
  • university course
Synonyms
  • college

    In US English, often used interchangeably with 'university'; in UK English, usually refers to a different type of institution for further education or a constituent part of a university.

  • school

    More general; in the US, commonly used for any educational institution including universities (e.g., 'graduate school').

  • institute

    Suggests a narrower focus on a specific field or profession, often at a postgraduate or research level.

Grammar Patterns

at + university

go to + university

university + noun (as modifier)

Usage Note

In British English, 'at university' (without 'the') typically describes the status of being a student. In American English, 'at the university' or 'in college' is more common.

Common Mistakes

She studied economic in university.
She studied economics at university.
The subject name is 'economics', not 'economic', and the correct preposition is 'at'.
Idioms

the university of life

idiom

The knowledge and skills you gain from real-life experiences, not from formal education.

Maya learned more from the university of life than from any school.

Did Diego graduate from a college or the university of life?

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Students often use 'college' and 'university' differently depending on region. In the US, 'college' can refer to any post-secondary institution and is sometimes used interchangeably with 'university', though 'university' usually implies a larger institution offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees. In the UK, 'college' typically refers to further education or a constituent part of a university. 'Institute' suggests an organization focused on a specific professional or research field, such as a 'technical institute'. 'Academy' implies a specialized or selective institution, like a 'military academy' or 'art academy'. For everyday use: 'She went to a small college in Ohio' vs. 'She earned her master's degree at a large university in Chicago.'

college ↗school ↗institute ↗academy ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • go to university
  • leave university
  • drop out of university
  • enter university

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'university' comes from the Latin 'universitas', meaning 'the whole, the total, a community'. In medieval Europe, 'universitas magistrorum et scholarium' referred to a 'community of teachers and scholars'. The term passed into English through Old French 'universite' during the 14th century, originally referring to any guild or corporation before narrowing to its modern educational meaning.