Meaning & use

undergraduate

noun·Academic

A college or university student who is studying for a first degree, such as a bachelor's degree.

See it in a sentence

As an undergraduate, she spent her summers interning at a local newspaper.

Undergraduate students must complete general education courses before choosing a specific major.

A note on using this word

Undergraduate contrasts with graduate, which refers to students pursuing further study after a first degree, such as a master's or doctorate.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

graduate

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