Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

enroll

American  
[en-rohl] / ɛnˈroʊl /
especially British, enrol

verb (used with object)

enrolled, enrolling
  1. to write the name of (a person) in a roll or register; place upon a list; register.

    It took two days to enroll the new students.

  2. to enlist (oneself ).

  3. to put in a record; record.

    to enroll the minutes of a meeting; to enroll the great events of history.

  4. to roll or wrap up.

    fruit enrolled in tissue paper.

  5. Nautical. to document (a U.S. vessel) by issuing a certificate of enrollment.


verb (used without object)

enrolled, enrolling
  1. to enroll oneself.

    He enrolled in college last week.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of enroll

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English enrollen, from Old French enroller. See en- 1, roll

Explanation

If you like clowning around but you're not quite ready for the circus, you could enroll in clown college to perfect your skills. When you enroll, that means you formally add your name to the list — or roll — of students. You can enroll in things other than schools or classes, and you can also enroll someone else. You might enroll your Chihuahua in a research project investigating whether dogs like to wear hats, or you could enroll your rude nephew in charm school. The "roll" of enroll goes back to the rolls of parchment that were used in medieval times for writing official documents.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing enroll

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The goal: Enroll students in Algebra 1 in eighth grade and advanced math in high school.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 5, 2023

She gave him a choice: Enroll in school, get a job or leave.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2022

Otherwise, click Enroll Your Devices at the top-right corner of the webpage.

From The Verge • Jul. 11, 2022

Enroll your children in swim lessons as soon as they are available, and always designate an adult “water watcher” around water.

From Washington Post • Jul. 6, 2021

To wield the axe or the hammer,   To till the yielding soil, Enroll me under your banner,   Oh Brotherhood of Toil!

From The Coming of the Princess and Other Poems by MacLean, Kate Seymour