Definition

A person who is a student at a college or has recently graduated from one.

Example

As a collegian, she was involved in many campus activities and organizations.

Conversation

Have you met the new collegian in our study group?

Yeah, I think they just transferred here this semester.

I heard they were a top student at their last school.

That’s awesome! It’ll be great to have a collegian with experience.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Collegian → It is formed from "collegium" (from Latin, meaning a society or group) and the suffix "-an" (meaning belonging to or relating to). A collegian is someone who belongs to or is associated with a college or university.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'society' ('collegium') that someone 'belongs to' ('-an') — that's why a collegian is someone who is part of a college.

Visually Confused Words