Degree — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /di-ˈgrē/ de·gree

Meaning & Definition of Degree

Degree (noun)

  1. a step or stage in a process, course, or order of classification
  2. a rank or grade of official, ecclesiastical, or social position
  3. a particular standing especially as to dignity or worth

Degree (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an individual part of a process, series, or ranking

    "they worked on the project by degrees and eventually it got done"

    similar: chapter, cut, grade, inch, notch, peg, phase, place, point, stage, step
    related: angle, aspect, facet, side, amount, measure, plane, decrement, increment

  2. the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement

    "a Freemason of the 32nd degree"

    similar: echelon, footing, level, place, position, rank, ranking, reach(es), rung, situation, standing, station, status, stratum
    related: condition, estate, order, walk, capacity, function, rating

Related Entry: Give the third degree to (phrase)

Give the third degree to is a different word from Degree. The synonyms below are for give the third degree to, not for degree.

  1. to put a series of questions to

    "She gave the third degree to her daughter when she missed her curfew."

    "After missing work without hearing from me, my supervisor is sure to give me the third degree when I get back into the office."

    similar: catechize, examine, grill, interrogate, pump, query, question, quiz, sweat (slang), pick the brains of
    related: debrief, cross-examine, cross-question, annoy, harass, hound, pester, canvass, poll

Related Entry: To a degree (phrase)

To a degree is a different word from Degree. The synonyms below are for to a degree, not for degree.

  1. to some degree or extent

    "I agree with her argument to a degree."

    similar: enough, fairly, kindly (chiefly Southern), kind of, like, moderately, more or less, pretty, quite, rather, relatively, something, somewhat, sort of, a bit, after a sort, a little, a mite, a tad, a touch, of sorts
    related: acceptably, decently, passably, tolerably, little, negligibly, nominally, slightly, vaguely, half, halfway, incompletely, part, partially, partly, partway
    near: awfully, beastly, deadly, especially, exceedingly, exceptionally, extremely, frightfully, greatly, heavily, highly, hugely, mightily, mortally, particularly, surpassingly, terribly, very, considerably, extensively, significantly, substantially

Related Entry: Given the third degree to (phrase)

Given the third degree to is a different word from Degree. The synonyms below are for given the third degree to, not for degree.

  1. to put a series of questions to

    "She gave the third degree to her daughter when she missed her curfew."

    "After missing work without hearing from me, my supervisor is sure to give me the third degree when I get back into the office."

    similar: catechized, examined, grilled, interrogated, pumped, queried, questioned, quizzed, sweat (slang), picked the brains of
    related: debriefed, cross-examined, cross-questioned, annoyed, harassed, hounded, pestered, canvassed, polled

Related Entry: Gave the third degree to (phrase)

Gave the third degree to is a different word from Degree. The synonyms below are for gave the third degree to, not for degree.

  1. to put a series of questions to

    "She gave the third degree to her daughter when she missed her curfew."

    "After missing work without hearing from me, my supervisor is sure to give me the third degree when I get back into the office."

    similar: catechized, examined, grilled, interrogated, pumped, queried, questioned, quizzed, sweat (slang), picked the brains of
    related: debriefed, cross-examined, cross-questioned, annoyed, harassed, hounded, pestered, canvassed, polled

Related Entry: Gives the third degree to (phrase)

Gives the third degree to is a different word from Degree. The synonyms below are for gives the third degree to, not for degree.

  1. to put a series of questions to

    "She gave the third degree to her daughter when she missed her curfew."

    "After missing work without hearing from me, my supervisor is sure to give me the third degree when I get back into the office."

    similar: catechizes, examines, grills, interrogates, pumps, queries, questions, quizzes, sweats (slang), picks the brains of
    related: debriefs, cross-examines, cross-questions, annoys, harasses, hounds, pesters, canvasses, polls

Related Entry: Giving the third degree to (phrase)

Giving the third degree to is a different word from Degree. The synonyms below are for giving the third degree to, not for degree.

  1. to put a series of questions to

    "She gave the third degree to her daughter when she missed her curfew."

    "After missing work without hearing from me, my supervisor is sure to give me the third degree when I get back into the office."

    similar: catechizing, examining, grilling, interrogating, pumping, querying, questioning, quizzing, sweating (slang), picking the brains of
    related: debriefing, cross-examining, cross-questioning, annoying, harassing, hounding, pestering, canvassing, polling

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Degree

The most common words with a similar meaning to Degree:

chapter, cut, grade, inch, notch, peg, phase, place, point, stage, step, echelon, footing, level, position, rank, ranking, reach(es), rung, situation, standing, station, status, stratum

Related Words for Degree

angle, aspect, facet, side, amount, measure, plane, decrement, increment, condition, estate, order, walk, capacity, function, rating

Word Forms of Degree

Derived words: degreed (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Degree

Middle English, from Anglo-French degré, from Vulgar Latin *degradus, from Latin de- + gradus see degrade

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Degree

Words & Phrases Containing Degree

degree-day, degree of freedom, advanced degree, bachelor's degree, external degree, first degree, first-degree, first-degree burn, pass degree

Frequently Asked Questions about Degree

What does "Degree" mean?

"Degree" means a step or stage in a process, course, or order of classification. As a noun, it is defined as: a step or stage in a process, course, or order of classification. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Degree"?

Other words for "Degree" include chapter, cut, grade, inch, notch, peg, phase and place. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Degree" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Degree"?

There are 40 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Degree". Common alternatives include chapter, cut, grade, inch, notch, peg, phase, place, point and stage.

How do you use "Degree" in a sentence?

Examples of "Degree" in a sentence: "they worked on the project by degrees and eventually it got done"; "a Freemason of the 32nd degree".

Is "Degree" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Degree" is a noun.

Is "Degree" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Degree" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Degree"?

"Degree" is pronounced /di-ˈgrē/ and divided into syllables as de·gree.

What is the origin of the word "Degree"?

"Degree" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French degré, from Vulgar Latin *degradus, from Latin de- + gradus see degrade. First known use: 13th century.