Meaning & use
enroll vs enrol
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
Two spellings of one verb: 'enroll' is used in American English and 'enrol' in British English.
Grammar: Use it when comparing spellings: 'enroll vs enrol' means the American form against the British form.
Patterns
- enroll vs enrol
Students often search for 'enroll vs enrol' when a spell-checker marks their spelling wrong.
In a US university brochure you will see 'enroll', but a UK college website usually writes 'enrol'.
verbtransitive or intransitiveAmerican
To officially join a course, school, or organization, or to arrange for someone to join.
Grammar: In American English it is spelled 'enroll' with a double l; the past tense is 'enrolled' in both varieties.
Patterns
- enroll in something
- enroll at a school
- enroll someone in something
She plans to enroll in a nursing program next fall.
Hundreds of students enrolled at the college this semester.
The company will enroll new employees in a pension plan.
verbtransitive or intransitiveBritish
To officially join a course, school, or organization, or to arrange for someone to join.
Grammar: In British English the base form has one l ('enrol'), but the past tense still doubles it: 'enrolled'.
Patterns
- enrol on a course
- enrol at a university
- enrol someone in something
He decided to enrol on a part-time law course.
Please enrol before the end of August.
The charity enrolled fifty children in the reading program.
Word forms
| third person singular | enrolls |
|---|---|
| past tense | enrolled |
| past participle | enrolled |
| -ing form | enrolling |
Common combinations
- enroll in a course
- I enrolled in a Spanish course at the community center.
- enroll at a university
- She enrolled at a university in Boston.
- enroll students
- The district will enroll students online this year.
- enroll for the fall
- You should enroll for the fall before classes fill up.
- newly enrolled
- Newly enrolled students attend an orientation session.
Synonyms and how they differ
- register
- Very close in meaning, but 'register' is common for classes, events, and official lists, while 'enroll' stresses becoming a member of a school or program.
- sign up
- Informal and often used for short courses or activities; 'enroll' sounds more official and is typical of schools and institutions.
- matriculate
- A formal, specialist word used mainly for entering a university; 'enroll' is the everyday choice.
Opposites
Word family
- enrollment noun
- The act of joining, or the total number of people who have joined.
- enrolment noun
- British spelling of the same noun.
- enrollee noun
- A person who has enrolled in something, especially a health plan.
Commonly confused: enroll vs enrol or enroll/enrol? enroll vs enrol or ensnare?
enroll vs enrol vs enroll/enrol
Learners sometimes write 'enrol' in American texts or 'enroll' in British texts; both are understood, but each variety prefers one spelling.
enroll vs enrol vs ensnare
Sounds a little similar but means to trap someone; it has nothing to do with joining a course.
Practice
Which sentence uses the British spelling correctly?
Choose one answer.
British English uses 'enrol' for the base form, but the past tense doubles the l: 'enrolled'. Option 2 is a misspelling, option 3 uses the American base form with a past-time sentence, and option 4 is not a real verb form.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “enroll vs enrol”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.