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Synonyms

grammar school

American  

noun

  • grammar schools
    plural
  1. an elementary school.

  2. British. a secondary school corresponding to a U.S. high school.

  3. (formerly) a secondary school in which Latin and Greek are among the principal subjects taught.


grammar school British  

noun

  1. (esp formerly) a state-maintained secondary school providing an education with an academic bias for children who are selected by the eleven-plus examination, teachers' reports, or other means Compare secondary modern school comprehensive school

  2. another term for elementary school

  3. a private school, esp one controlled by a church

  4. a secondary school forming part of the public education system

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of grammar school

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

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.

See Examples For:

The former grammar school teacher and political press officer worked at Richmond Lodge school in Belfast during the 1970s.

From BBC May 7, 2026

Dame Jenni had a grammar school education in her home town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, before going on to study French and drama at the University of Hull.

From BBC Mar. 20, 2026

Foodstock said private tuition doubled the likelihood of attending a grammar school, but disadvantaged children were less able to finance it.

From BBC Oct. 28, 2025

“There were books when my daughters were in grammar school and high school that stated we were extinct,” said Art Morales, an elder and historian in the tribe.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 19, 2025

Mary Anne Bell and Mark Fossie had been sweethearts since grammar school.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien

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