Definition

A person who has not completed a degree or diploma program at a school or university.

Example

Many nongraduates seek alternative paths to gain skills and experience.

Conversation

I met someone at the cafe who is a real nongraduate.

Oh really? That’s interesting! What do they do now?

They’re working in a tech startup and seem really happy.

That's great! It shows that you don't always need a degree to succeed.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Nongraduate → It is formed from "non-" (meaning not) and "graduate" (from Latin "graduatus", meaning one who has taken a degree). The word "nongraduate" refers to someone who has not graduated or does not hold a degree.

Memory Tip

Think of 'non-' meaning not, and 'graduate' referring to someone who has completed a degree. This helps you remember that a nongraduate is someone who has not completed their degree.

Visually Confused Words