school
school — verb
- schoolpresent simple I / you / we / they
- schools3rd person singular
- schooling-ing form
- schooledpast simple
1. to cause a person, an animal, or yourself to develop a specific habit or skill t
to cause a person, an animal, or yourself to develop a specific habit or skill through carefully planned, repeated instruction
The guide dog was schooled to stop at every street corner before crossing.
passive: be schooled + to-infinitive — animal training
Joon schooled himself to remain calm even when the other driver started shouting at him.
reflexive: school + oneself + to-infinitive — self-discipline
Young athletes at the academy are schooled in the basics of nutrition and injury prevention.
passive: be schooled + in + (subject area)
Aarav schooled his voice to stay steady whenever he felt nervous during a presentation.
- school oneself
- be schooled in
- school to + infinitive
- school a dog/horse
- train
more common and general; used for animals and people in everyday contexts
- discipline
emphasises punishment or strict control as part of training
- drill
focuses on repetitive practice, especially for a test or emergency
Grammar Patterns
school + object + to-infinitive
school + object + in + (skill/habit)
be schooled + to-infinitive
be schooled + in + (skill/habit)
Usage Note
This sense is formal and often appears in writing rather than everyday conversation. The reflexive pattern 'school oneself to do something' is common for describing personal discipline. Do not confuse with the everyday verb 'teach' — 'school' implies systematic, often strict training.
Common Mistakes
2. to educate a child at a school or to send a child to a particular type of school
to educate a child at a school or to send a child to a particular type of school for their education
The Watanabe children were schooled at a small international school near their home.
passive: be schooled + at + (institution)
Kofi's parents chose to school him at home rather than at a public school.
transitive: school + object + at/in + (location) — homeschooling context
Manuela was schooled in both Spanish and English from the age of six.
passive: be schooled + in + (language/field)
In many countries, children are legally required to be schooled until the age of sixteen.
- be schooled at
- be schooled in
- school a child
- school at home
- privately schooled
Grammar Patterns
be schooled + at + (institution)
be schooled + in + (location/field)
school + child + (prepositional phrase)
Usage Note
Frequently used in the passive voice ('was schooled at...'). The active form ('school + child') is less common in everyday conversation compared to 'send to school' or 'educate'. When specifying the institution type, use 'at' ('schooled at a private school'), and for location use 'in' ('schooled in the United States').
Common Mistakes
3. to swim or gather in a large group, used only of fish and certain sea creatures
to swim or gather in a large group, used only of fish and certain sea creatures that move together for protection or hunting
Just below the boat, hundreds of sardines were schooling near the surface of the water.
intransitive: fish + school + (location) — sardines schooling
Marine biologists watched the tuna school tightly together to confuse a group of hunting dolphins.
school + adverb/prepositional phrase — describes movement and purpose
During the dive, Élise saw a massive group of barracuda schooling around the coral reef.
Every autumn, thousands of herring school in the cold waters off the coast of Iceland.
intransitive with time + location — annual fish migration pattern
- school together
- school near the surface
- school of fish
- shoal
used interchangeably with 'school' in British English for fish groups
Grammar Patterns
fish + school + (prepositional phrase)
Usage Note
This sense is a specialised term in marine biology and fishing. Only aquatic animals that naturally form groups — such as sardines, herring, tuna, and anchovies — are described as 'schooling'. Not used for land animals or humans.
Common Mistakes
school — noun
- schoolsingular
- schoolsplural
1. a building where children and young people go to learn from teachers
a building where children and young people go to learn from teachers
Haruto walks past the school every morning on his way to the park.
The school on Green Street has a big playground behind it.
definite article + location phrase to specify building
Zola's parents visited three different schools before choosing one for her.
countable: three schools
The old school building was turned into a community centre last year.
school + building as compound noun
Ilan showed his little brother around the school on the first day.
- attend school
- build a school
- a primary school
- a secondary school
- school building
- school grounds
- walk to school
- academy
more formal, often for private or specialist institutions
- institution
broader term, can refer to any type of educational body
Grammar Patterns
go to + school
at + (the) + school
a + school
Usage Note
When no article is used ('go to school', 'at school'), the word refers to the activity of learning rather than the physical building. Add 'the' or 'a' to talk about a specific building: 'I went to the school to speak to the principal.'
Common Mistakes
2. the time a person spends being a student, from the first day of classes until le
the time a person spends being a student, from the first day of classes until leaving
Caio made most of his closest friends during his school years.
school years = period of attendance
Rohan enjoyed school because he loved learning about history and geography.
After finishing school, Lauren went to university to study medicine.
finish school = complete education
Niran's parents always taught him to take school seriously and work hard.
take school seriously = treat education as important
Megan left school at eighteen and started working at a local hospital.
- start school
- finish school
- leave school
- at school
- during school
- school years
- throughout school
- education
broader, can include university and informal learning
Grammar Patterns
at + school
finish + school
leave + school
during + school
Usage Note
This sense is always uncountable and never takes an article. 'School' here refers to the period or experience, not a place. Common verbs: 'start school', 'finish school', 'leave school', 'enjoy school'.
Common Mistakes
3. the part of the day when lessons take place at a school
the part of the day when lessons take place at a school
School finishes at three thirty, and then the children walk home together.
School finishes = lessons end for the day
Léa was often tired after a long day at school.
There is no school on Saturday at most elementary schools in Taiwan.
no school = classes are not held
Roya stayed after school to practise for the choir concert.
after school = when lessons are over
The students have lunch at school every day except Sunday.
- after school
- before school
- during school
- school starts
- school finishes
- no school
- school is out
- school day
Grammar Patterns
after + school
before + school
at + school (meaning during the day)
no + school
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 2: this sense refers to the daily schedule ('school starts at eight'), while sense 2 refers to the multi-year period ('she finished school at eighteen'). Common time expressions: 'before school', 'after school', 'during school', 'at school' (in session).
4. all the students, teachers, and other staff of a school, thought of as one group
all the students, teachers, and other staff of a school, thought of as one group
The whole school gathered in the hall for the end-of-year ceremony.
the whole school = everyone at the school
The school raised over ten thousand dollars for the local charity this year.
Adina's art project was chosen by the school to represent them at the fair.
the school = collective decision-making body
The school decided to start a recycling program after students asked for it.
When the basketball team won, the entire school celebrated together.
entire school = all members of the school community
- the whole school
- the entire school
- the school decided
- the school raised
- the school celebrated
- the school community
- faculty and students
more explicit but less common as a single term
Grammar Patterns
the whole + school
the + school + singular/plural verb
Usage Note
In British English, the collective noun 'school' can take a singular or plural verb: 'The school is having a meeting' (as a unit) or 'The school are divided on the issue' (as individuals). In American English, singular is preferred.
5. one of the divisions inside a university that concentrates on one field of study
one of the divisions inside a university that concentrates on one field of study, for example law or medicine
Élise studies at the School of Economics at National Taiwan University.
proper noun: School of + field
The medical school requires students to complete three years of science courses first.
Joon applied to the School of Engineering because he wants to design bridges.
School of Engineering as proper name
The law school has one of the best libraries in the country.
Wren's father teaches architecture at the School of Design in Melbourne.
- School of Law
- School of Medicine
- School of Engineering
- business school
- medical school
- law school
- graduate school
- faculty
used in British universities; e.g. 'Faculty of Arts'
- department
a smaller unit within a school, e.g. 'Department of History' might be inside the School of Humanities
- college
in some systems, 'college' is used the same way as 'school'; e.g. 'College of Engineering'
Grammar Patterns
the School of + [subject]
a + school + of + [field]
Usage Note
This sense differs from sense 7 (college or university as a whole) in that it refers to a division within a larger institution, not the entire institution. A university typically has several schools, such as a School of Medicine, School of Law, and School of Engineering.
Common Mistakes
6. a business or organisation that gives lessons in one specific activity, such as
a business or organisation that gives lessons in one specific activity, such as playing music, speaking a foreign language, or driving a car
Tariq takes guitar lessons at a music school on Saturday afternoons.
The driving school near the train station offers classes in English and Chinese.
driving school = learns driving skills
Bao enrolled in a language school to improve his Japanese before moving to Tokyo.
language school = learns a language
Eshe's mother runs a small cooking school from their home kitchen.
Nikhil attends an evening school twice a week to learn computer programming.
evening school = adult education classes held at night
- music school
- driving school
- language school
- cooking school
- dance school
- art school
- evening school
- summer school
- institute
more formal; often for professional training, e.g. 'institute of technology'
Grammar Patterns
a + [subject] + school
[subject] + school
Usage Note
The skill is usually specified before 'school', forming a compound: 'dancing school', 'driving school', 'language school'. These are separate institutions, not departments of a university (sense 5). This sense also includes 'summer school' and 'evening school' for short-term or part-time learning.
7. a university or college — a place where students go to study for higher qualific
a university or college — a place where students go to study for higher qualifications after secondary education — or the period a person spends there as a student
After finishing high school, Christopher decided to go to school in New York.
school used for university/college (higher education)
The school offers full scholarships to students from low-income families.
Aarav spent three years at law school before taking the bar exam.
specific subject + school: law school, medical school
Élise is applying to several schools on the West Coast this autumn.
Many international students work part-time while attending school to cover their living costs.
attending school (period of study at university)
- go to school
- attend school
- apply to school
- graduate from school
- law school
- medical school
- business school
- graduate school
- university
the most common term in UK English for a degree-granting institution, but includes undergraduate-only colleges in some contexts
- college
often used interchangeably with 'school' in US English; in UK English typically refers to a post-16 institution or a constituent part of a university
Usage Note
In US English, 'school' often refers to any college or university. In UK English, 'university' is more common for the institution, though 'school' is still used for professional programmes such as law school or medical school.
Common Mistakes
8. artists, writers, or thinkers who share a common style, method, or set of ideas,
artists, writers, or thinkers who share a common style, method, or set of ideas, especially because they follow the same leader or teacher
The Dutch school of painting produced many famous artists in the 1600s.
the [name/country] school of painting/art
During her lecture, Professor Amira outlined the Chicago school of thought for her economics class.
concrete: professor + lecture setting demonstrates a school of thought being taught
Zola belonged to a school of writers who described working people's daily lives.
At the town hall, Tara and Indra debated two schools of thought on traffic flow.
concrete: named people + location + action demonstrating competing schools of thought
This new school of architecture values simple shapes and natural materials.
new/old school of [field]
- school of thought
- school of painting
- school of art
- school of economics
- school of philosophy
- the [name] school
- a new school of
Usage Note
Frequently followed by 'of' (e.g. 'school of thought', 'school of painting'). The field is usually named before or after the phrase — the 'Chicago school of economics' or a 'school of writers from the 19th century'.
Common Mistakes
9. marine animals, especially fish, that stay together and move as one body through
marine animals, especially fish, that stay together and move as one body through the water
A large school of fish swam past the divers near the coral reef.
a school of fish (group of fish swimming together)
Nikhil watched a school of sardines turn as if they shared one mind.
The dolphins worked together to trap a school of tuna against the shore.
A school of tiny silver fish darted through the clear, shallow water.
school of [colour/size] + fish
- a school of fish
- a school of dolphins
- a school of sardines
- a school of tuna
- a large school of
- a huge school of
- shoal
less common than 'school' in everyday English; 'shoal' sometimes suggests fish that stay close to the surface or shore
Common Mistakes
old school
idiombelonging to a traditional style or way of doing things, especially one that is simple and direct
Grandpa is old school — he still writes letters by hand instead of sending emails.
The chef learned his skills the old school way by working in a busy kitchen.
school of thought
idioma particular way of thinking about something that is shared by a group of people
There are two main schools of thought on how to teach reading to young children.
One school of thought says that homework is essential, while another disagrees.
A person who prefers traditional methods and ideas from the past.
My grandfather is one of the old school and writes letters by hand.
The chef is one of the old school, using only classic recipes.
school(s) of thought
idiomA particular set of ideas or opinions shared by a group of people.
Two schools of thought exist on how to teach reading to children.
Diego follows the school of thought that exercise is best done in the morning.
too cool for school
idiomExtremely fashionable or trendy, often in a way that seems aloof.
Maya's new jacket makes her look too cool for school.
The band's lead singer acts too cool for school, ignoring the crowd.
Word family
- schoolingnounB2
- schooledadjectiveB2
- school-ageadjectiveB1
- preschooladjectiveA2
- preschoolnounA2
- schoolroomnounB1
- schoolhousenounB1
- schoolyardnounB1
- schoolworknounB1
- schoolchildnounB2
- schoolchildrennounB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
While "school", "academy", "institute", "university", and "college" all refer to places of learning, they differ in scope and usage. "School" is the broadest term — it covers everything from a small village primary school to a large graduate programme, and it also refers to the experience of learning itself ("I enjoyed school"). "Academy" is more formal and often suggests a private or specialist institution focused on a particular field, such as the arts or sciences. "Institute" typically refers to an organisation dedicated to advanced study, research, or professional training, rather than general education for children. "University" is a degree-granting institution of higher education that usually contains multiple schools or colleges within it. "College" varies by region: in US English it is often used interchangeably with "university", while in UK English it usually refers to a post-16 institution for further education or a constituent part of a university (e.g., King's College, Cambridge). The verb "school" ("to school someone") overlaps with "train", "teach", and "educate", but carries a stronger sense of disciplined, formal instruction aimed at shaping behaviour or habits rather than just passing on information.
Common collocations
Nouns
- school uniform
- school day
- school year
- school board
- school district
- school term
- school holiday
- school gate
- school bus
- school fee
- school meal
- school record
Adverbs
- well schooled
- formally schooled
- privately schooled
- homeschooled
Phrases
- go to school
- attend school
- start school
- leave school
- finish school
- stay after school
- walk to school
- send to school
- be away from school
Prepositions
- at school
- in school
- to school
- from school
- out of school
- through school
Etymology
The word "school" entered English over a thousand years ago from Old English "scōl", which came from Latin "schola", meaning a place for learning or discussion. The Latin word itself was borrowed from Ancient Greek "σχολή" (scholē), which originally meant "leisure" or "spare time" — because in ancient Greece, having free time allowed people to gather for lectures and debates. Over many centuries, the meaning shifted from "free time used for learning" to the institution where learning happens.