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.
He has also espoused a more collegiate style of governance, delegating some particularly sensitive topics to his senior clergy.
From Barron's • May 6, 2026
Sparks guard Julie Vanloo could step into the role, but the team also has a second round pick in a deep collegiate draft on Monday to help round out the roster.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026
Meanwhile, student athletes are routinely playing for two, three or four different schools during their collegiate years.
From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026
"You can see the enjoyment from the children but we're also seeing collegiate attitudes amongst the staff."
From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026
Easily talented enough to thrive on the collegiate and national levels.
From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson
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.
