collegian
Americannoun
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a student in, or a graduate of, a college.
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a member of a college.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of collegian
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin collēgiānus, equivalent to collēgi ( um ) college + -ānus -an
Explanation
A collegian is a student at a college or university. It could also be a former college student: in other words, an alumnus. Are you a high school student? If so, you're not a collegian, which is a word for someone who is enrolled at a college (or is a graduate). People who go to universities are also called collegians: the key part is that you're part of higher education. If you dropped out of college, you probably wouldn’t call yourself a collegian. This word suggests you are getting or have received a college degree.
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.
Beck went to Miami as a graduate transfer, and is currently a sixth-year collegian.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 24, 2026
Skenes set the SEC record for strikeouts in a season and was the first collegian in 12 years to fan more than 200.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 27, 2023
To put the mark in further perspective, Izaic Yorks had set the school record of 3:53.89 in 2016, which at the time was the fastest ever run indoors by an American collegian.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 31, 2023
Reese finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds, one board shy of a career high, as she played in her hometown for the first time as a collegian.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 21, 2021
“Then I only hope Mr. Howbridge sent up grub enough to see us through till spring,” put in the collegian gayly.
From The Corner House Girls Snowbound by Hill, Grace Brooks
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
