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• grad
  grad

  noun

  a graduate.
• grad.
  grad.

  abbreviation

  gradient.

grad

¹ American  

[grad] / græd /

noun

Informal.

1. a graduate.

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grad ² American  

[grad] / græd /

noun

1. one hundredth of a right angle.

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grad. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. Mathematics. gradient.

2. graduate.

3. graduated.

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grad. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. maths gradient

2. education graduate(d)

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grad ² British  

/ ɡræd /

noun

1. informal a graduate

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Etymology

Origin of grad¹

First recorded in 1870–75; by shortening

Origin of grad²

1905–10; < French grade degree < Latin gradus step

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

grad grad.

I’m in grad school at 60, studying to become a school counselor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

“This was a paradigm paper for a whole generation of university students and grad students,” said Franta, who was also taught the “Wedges” paper as a graduate student at Harvard.

From Salon ● Jun. 26, 2026

Back in grad school, I imagined that maybe I’d write a bestselling novel, and maybe it would be adapted for the screen, and maybe my tombstone would read: She contributed very serious literature to civilization.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 25, 2026

Even if a new grad is paying rent to their parents, it will likely be less than they’d be shelling out if they were living on their own.

From MarketWatch ● May 21, 2026

“I’ve got a feeling today’s interview will be the one. I also was looking online at grad school programs for you.”

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

“He comes from Georgetown. I’m a Georgetown grad. All they talk about it is head, heart, soul, mind and full-person development.”

From Washington Post ● Jul. 23, 2019

“One of the most staunch conservative guys was an Alabama grad. He was talking football with him, smacking right back.”

From New York Times ● Feb. 2, 2019

Everybody, from the youngest prep. to the oldest grad., will know it and love it.

From An American at Oxford by Corbin, John

There, too, were the members of the classes remaining, but these latter were still in the cadet gray, and would be until the close of their own grad. days.

From Dick Prescotts's Fourth Year at West Point Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps by Hancock, H. Irving (Harrie Irving)

—Philosopher and historian, was b. at Aldowrie, Inverness-shire, s. of an officer in the army and landowner, ed. at Aberdeen, whence he proceeded to Edinburgh to study medicine, in which he grad. in 1787.

From A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by Cousin, John W. (John William)

Related Words

• alum
• alumna
• alumnus
• doctor
• recipient