graduate
noun
a person who has received a degree or diploma on completing a course of study, as in a university, college, or school.
had graduated
-
past perfectof graduate.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
Failing to earn the degree bothered her, and King would correct anyone who said she had graduated.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026
University of Miami quarterback Carson Beck, who played four seasons at Georgia, made headlines this week by saying he had graduated two years ago.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 24, 2026
Sharron believes Caitlin "would still be here" if the UK had graduated driving licences which forbade newly qualified, young drivers from carrying passengers their own age.
From BBC ● Jan. 6, 2026
In 2015, Graham Walker, a history major who had graduated from the University of the South, became the chief executive officer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 25, 2025
He had graduated from college in May and was thinking about going to medical school, but he wanted to see the world before committing.
From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart
