adjective
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Also: collegial. of or relating to a college or college students
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(of a university) composed of various colleges of equal standing
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of collegiate
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Late Latin word collēgiātus. See college, -ate 1
Explanation
Collegiate describes anything to do with college life or college students. You might refer to the leagues in which college athletes compete as collegiate sports, or to students studying chemistry as collegiate scientists. While college is a noun, collegiate is an adjective used to describe anything associated with college. The word collegiate was once associated with the idea of ivy-covered walls and impeccably-dressed students earnestly discussing philosophy and art. Nowadays, it can just as easily refer to political demonstrations and raucous behavior, as all have become part of the collegiate world.
Vocabulary lists containing collegiate
The Parker Inheritance
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Boy21
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The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
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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 American collegiate system is a popular route for British players and its tennis scene helped shaped Fery's competitive nature.
From BBC • Jul. 6, 2026
Cohn, who played collegiate hockey at Oswego Stage University and competed on the boys team in high school, regularly contributed to ESPN’s NHL coverage.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2026
I presented in a would-be collegiate style, I think to cheer myself up.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
Still, Díaz-Canel himself has indicated an element of "collegiate" decision-making exists among the political-military elite ruling the country.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
“I wish you a beautiful life too—many clear starry nights, and a few collegiate basketball records,” I say.
From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick
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.
