collegian
Americannoun
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a student in, or a graduate of, a college.
-
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
Miller walked off the court for the final time as a collegian wiping her eyes and shared a long hug with Frese near center court.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 27, 2023
A sixth-year collegian, Richardson stood out at New Mexico State before serving as a backup and special-teamer over the past two years at Texas.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 25, 2023
“Can’t beat that for logic,” muttered the collegian.
From The Corner House Girls on Palm Island by Gooch, Thelma
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.
