dean

/diːn/ (bre, ipa) · [dˈin] /diːn/ (ame, ipa) · [dˈin] /ˈdēn/ (ame, mw)

dean — noun

  • deansingular
  • deansplural

1. a person who holds a high-level administrative role at a university, in charge o

1.名詞B2
釋義

a person who holds a high-level administrative role at a university, in charge of running one or more academic departments or a specific faculty.

例句

Maja was appointed dean of the Faculty of Law last September.

appointed dean of [Faculty]

The dean of the science department approved the funding for the new research lab.

dean of the [department]

同義詞
  • head

    more general; can apply to any organizational unit, not just academic

  • director

    often used for professional schools (director of nursing) or non-degree units

  • provost

    a higher-ranking academic officer, usually above deans at a university level

文法句型

dean + of + [faculty/department]

用法筆記

The specific title varies by institution — 'dean of the faculty', 'dean of the college', or simply 'academic dean' are common in North America, while UK universities more often use 'dean of the faculty' or 'dean of the school'.

常見錯誤

❌The principal of the college approved the new course.' (when meaning the dean of a specific department)
✅The dean of the science faculty approved the new course.
💡'principal' refers to the overall head of a school, while 'dean' heads a division within a larger institution.

2. the longest-serving or most experienced person in a profession or group, who is

2.名詞C1
釋義

the longest-serving or most experienced person in a profession or group, who is looked up to as an unofficial leader or guide by others in that field.

例句

As a veteran newsman, Andrés is the dean of local journalists.

dean of [profession] — veteran implies seniority

Eshe became the unofficial dean of the city's architects after winning national awards.

同義詞
  • doyen

    French-origin equivalent; more formal and literary, less common in everyday speech

  • veteran

    emphasizes length of experience but not necessarily the unofficial leadership role

  • elder

    stronger connotation of age and traditional authority; can sound old-fashioned

反義詞
  • newcomer

    someone who has just joined the field and lacks experience

  • rookie

    informal; emphasizes inexperience

文法句型

the dean of + [profession / group]

用法筆記

This sense takes the definite article ('the dean of...') and is almost always followed by a profession or group name. It implies respect and long service rather than official authority.

常見錯誤

❌She was elected as dean of the group.' (sounds like an official role)
✅She is regarded as the dean of the group.
💡this sense is an informal status, not an elected position.

3. a senior priest of either the Anglican or Roman Catholic tradition who is respon

3.名詞B2
釋義

a senior priest of either the Anglican or Roman Catholic tradition who is responsible for supervising a cathedral and guiding the clergy who serve there.

例句

The dean of St. Paul's Cathedral led the special Christmas service this year.

the dean of [Cathedral name]

Dahlia was appointed dean of the cathedral after serving as a vicar for fifteen years.

appointed dean of the cathedral after [period] as [role]

同義詞
  • canon

    a member of the cathedral chapter who assists the dean, not the head

  • provost

    in some cathedrals, a historical title now largely replaced by 'dean'

  • rector

    the head of a parish church, not a cathedral — a lower rank

文法句型

the dean of + [cathedral / church name]

用法筆記

In the Church of England, a dean is the most senior priest of a cathedral, ranking below a bishop. In the Roman Catholic Church, the title can also refer to a priest who oversees a group of parishes in a district.

常見錯誤

❌The dean of the local church gave a sermon.' (too general)
✅The dean of the cathedral gave a sermon at the Easter service.
💡this sense specifically applies to cathedral-level clergy, not the priest of an ordinary parish church.

4. a college officer, typically at institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge, who a

4.名詞B2
釋義

a college officer, typically at institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge, who advises students and enforces rules of conduct.

例句

Mira had to see the dean about the noise complaints coming from her dormitory room.

see the dean about [issue]

The dean warned the students that any form of cheating would result in immediate expulsion.

同義詞
  • proctor

    at Oxford/Cambridge, a university-level disciplinary officer rather than a college-level one

  • warden

    used at some UK university colleges for the head of a hall of residence

  • counsellor

    focuses on emotional support without disciplinary authority

文法句型

see the dean

the dean's office

用法筆記

This sense is most common at Oxford and Cambridge, where each college has its own dean responsible for student welfare and discipline. It differs from Sense 1 (ACADEMIC OFFICIAL), which focuses on academic administration rather than personal counseling.

常見錯誤

❌The dean of students at Oxford approved my course schedule.' (course schedules are handled by a tutor or academic dean)
✅I had to see the dean about the disciplinary warning.
💡at Oxford/Cambridge, the dean deals with conduct and welfare, not academic registration.