Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

baccalaureate

/bækəˈlɔːɹɪət/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.89 in modern English

Syllables: bac-calau-re-ate
IPA: /bækəˈlɔːɹɪət/

19

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

5

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A bachelor's degree.

noun

A high school completion exam and qualification awarded in many countries (e.g. Finland, France, Moldova, Romania), designed to enable students to pursue higher education.

noun

A farewell address in the form of a sermon delivered to a graduating class.

American usage

noun

The International Baccalaureate.

Etymology

First attested in 1625; borrowed from French baccalauréat, from Medieval Latin baccalaureātus, from Medieval Latin baccalaureus, an alteration made to baccalārius (“young man aspiring to knighthood, apprentice, bachelor”) for it to resemble bacca lauri (“laurel berry”) (the ancient symbol of victory). See bachelor and -ate (forms nouns denoting rank or office).

Origin

First known use: First attested in 1625

Word Breakdown

Root: baccalaureātus, baccalaureus

Usage

American usage

Inflected Forms

baccalaureates (plural) bacc (alternative) bac (alternative)

Derived Forms

postbaccalaureate

Phrases

advanced degree master's degree

Frequently Paired Words

advanced degree doctorate master's degree

Synonyms

bachelor's degree

Homonyms

baccalaureat

Rhymes With

laureate

Questions

How do you pronounce baccalaureate?: The recorded pronunciation is /bækəˈlɔːɹɪət/.
What does baccalaureate mean?: A bachelor's degree.
Where does baccalaureate come from?: First known use: First attested in 1625.

How to pronounce baccalaureate

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