undergraduate

noun

un·​der·​grad·​u·​ate ˌən-dər-ˈgra-jə-wət 

-ˌwāt;

-ˈgraj-wət

: 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

Cornell is among the less difficult Ivy League schools to get into, and it is known for its top engineering program, while also being one of the few Ivies with a business school open to undergraduates. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

However, the math for many has shifted over time, making an investment in an undergraduate and graduate degree riskier. — Jessica Dickler,annie Nova, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

These flexible funds are helping to cover research funding shortfalls at Cornell University, undergraduate scholarships at Georgetown University and general operations at the College of the Atlantic. — William Blomquist, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026

With both undergraduates and graduate students in the same institution, universities are usually larger. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for undergraduate

• postgraduate
• graduate

Kids Definition

undergraduate

noun

un·​der·​grad·​u·​ate ˌən-dər-ˈgraj-(ə-)wət 

-ə-ˌwāt

: a student at a college or university who has not yet received a degree