Graduate Meaning
Graduate Definition & Usage
To successfully complete a course of study or training, typically in a school or university, and receive a degree or diploma.
Examples
- "She will graduate from college next year with a degree in engineering."
- "After four years of hard work, I finally graduated from high school."
- "John graduated with honors and immediately received several job offers."
- "The university graduated over 500 students in the ceremony last Saturday."
- "They are set to graduate in May, after completing their thesis."
To progress to a higher level or more advanced stage, often in an academic, professional, or other structured setting.
Examples
- "The school’s policy allows students to graduate to the next grade after passing the exams."
- "He graduated from being a junior engineer to a senior role within two years."
- "After completing her internship, she graduated to a full-time position in the company."
- "The game’s design allows players to graduate to more challenging levels."
- "The program is designed to help children gradually graduate from basic skills to more advanced ones."
A person who has completed a course of study and received a degree or diploma.
Examples
- "He is a recent graduate of Harvard University."
- "She met many graduates during the alumni reunion last weekend."
- "The university is known for producing top-tier graduates in medicine."
- "Every year, the graduates are invited to a ceremony to celebrate their achievements."
- "As a graduate of the program, I feel fully prepared to start my career."
A person who has recently completed a particular course, training, or period of experience, often used informally to refer to someone who has achieved a significant milestone in a specific area.
Examples
- "The new graduate quickly found a position in a startup."
- "As a graduate of the cooking school, she opened her own restaurant."
- "The tech graduate was highly sought after by major companies in the industry."
- "Many graduates of the program end up working in finance or consulting."
- "As a graduate of the leadership course, he was now ready to manage a team."
Cultural Context
Graduation is an important milestone in many cultures, typically marking the completion of a period of formal education. In Western countries, it often involves ceremonies with students wearing caps and gowns, receiving diplomas, and celebrating with family and friends. The concept of graduating can also extend beyond academic settings, symbolizing progress and achievement in various fields.
The Graduation Day Decision
Story
The Graduation Day Decision
The morning of the graduation ceremony was bright and sunny, with a light breeze rustling the trees outside the university. Sarah stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the cap on her head. It felt surreal. After four years of late-night study sessions, research papers, and endless cups of coffee, she had made it. She had graduated with honors from one of the most prestigious universities in the country. But as she stared at her reflection, she couldn’t help but feel a tinge of uncertainty about what came next. The job offers were there, but the pressure to choose the right path was overwhelming. Her younger brother, Lucas, knocked on the door. 'Mom says you’re going to be late if you don’t hurry up,' he teased, peeking in. 'I’m just thinking about everything, Lucas,' Sarah sighed. 'It’s not just about graduating, you know. It’s about what happens after.' Lucas smiled knowingly. 'You’ll figure it out. Just take it one step at a time. You graduated for a reason—because you’re ready for what’s next.' Sarah smiled back, appreciating her brother’s confidence in her. As they walked to the ceremony, she thought about what graduation really meant. It wasn’t just the diploma or the ceremony. It was the culmination of years of hard work, the transition from being a student to a professional, the moment she could finally 'graduate' to a new chapter of life. At the ceremony, as she walked across the stage to receive her diploma, the crowd cheered. In that moment, everything seemed possible. Sarah had graduated, but she also felt ready to graduate to the next level of her life. The decision to accept a job offer or pursue further studies was daunting, but it was a challenge she was now prepared for. After the ceremony, she sat with her friends at the after-party, discussing their plans. Some were starting jobs, others were continuing their education, and a few were still figuring things out. Each of them was a graduate, but they were all at different stages in their journey, each ready to graduate to a new adventure. For Sarah, the journey wasn’t over; it had only just begun.
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