Meaning & use
diploma
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Meanings
nouncountable
An official document showing that someone has completed a course of study.
Grammar: Countable noun; plural is diplomas.
Patterns
- a diploma in something
- a diploma from a school
- earn a diploma
- receive a diploma
She received a diploma in nursing after two years of study.
He earned a high school diploma and then went to college.
The university awards diplomas to students who complete the program.
nouncountable
A course of study that leads to such a document, often shorter than a degree.
Grammar: Countable; often used in names of programs.
Patterns
- do a diploma
- a diploma course
- a diploma program
She is doing a diploma in graphic design.
The college offers a one-year diploma in business.
A diploma course can be a good alternative to a full degree.
Word forms
| plural | diplomas |
|---|
Common combinations
- high school diploma
- Many jobs require at least a high school diploma.
- diploma in education
- He holds a diploma in education and teaches primary school.
- award a diploma
- The school will award diplomas at the graduation ceremony.
- diploma mill
- Be careful of online diploma mills that give certificates without real study.
Synonyms and how they differ
- certificate
- A certificate can be given for many kinds of achievement, not only completing a course; a diploma is usually for finishing a program of study.
- degree
- A degree is an academic title given by a university after a longer course, while a diploma often takes less time.
Word family
- diploma noun
- The base noun itself.
Commonly confused: diploma or degree?
diploma vs degree
A degree is a higher academic qualification, such as a bachelor's or master's; a diploma is often a shorter course or a certificate.
Practice
After completing the two-year program, she received a ___ in nursing.
Choose one answer.
A diploma is an official document for completing a course of study, often shorter than a degree. A degree usually takes longer and is awarded by a university; doctorate is the highest degree; thesis is a long piece of writing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “diploma”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.