undergraduate

noun

un·​der·​grad·​u·​ate ˌən-dər-ˈgra-jə-wət How to pronounce undergraduate (audio)
-ˌwāt;
-ˈgraj-wət
Synonyms of undergraduatenext
: a student at a college or university who has not received a first and especially a bachelor's degree
undergraduate adjective

Examples of undergraduate in a Sentence

a group of college undergraduates
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
SoFi offers a variety of private student loans and refinancing options for undergraduates, graduate students, and parents. — Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Reaction from students and educators National surveys have found a rising share of undergraduates report emotional stress and mental health struggles severe enough that many have considered dropping out. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 As a Stanford undergraduate, Baker wrote a series of stories detailing concerns around studies co-authored by Tessier-Lavigne. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 28 Aug. 2026 Garcia-Thomas received her undergraduate degree from Kansas State University. — La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for undergraduate

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of undergraduate was in 1630

Rhymes for undergraduate

See All Rhymes for undergraduate

Browse Nearby Words

undergrade
undergraduate
undergraduateship
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Undergraduate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undergraduate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

undergraduate

noun
un·​der·​grad·​u·​ate ˌən-dər-ˈgraj-(ə-)wət How to pronounce undergraduate (audio)
-ə-ˌwāt
: a student at a college or university who has not yet received a degree

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