diploma
gb/dɪplˈoʊmə/ us/dɪplˈoʊmə/
A2
English
~ 7300
oklevél, bizonyítvány, diploma, okleveles képzés, szakképesítés, adománylevél, kiváltságlevél
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] receives/gets/earns a diploma in [subject]
She proudly hung her nursing diploma on the wall in her office.
Büszkén kiakasztotta az ápolói oklevelét az irodája falára.
After four years of hard work, he finally walked across the stage to receive his diploma.
Négy év kemény munka után végre felsétált a színpadra, hogy átvegye az oklevelét.
The job posting says you must have at least a high school diploma.
The university will mail your diploma six to eight weeks after graduation.
He lost his original diploma in a fire and had to request a replacement from the college.
Learner examples
I got my high school diploma last year.
Tavaly szereztem meg az érettségi bizonyítványomat.
Her diploma is in a big frame.
Az oklevele egy nagy keretben van.
You need a college diploma for this job.
They will send your diploma to your home.
He is studying hard so he can get his diploma.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "diploma" with "degree." A *degree* (like a bachelor's or master's) is a level of university qualification, while a *diploma* is the physical certificate or, in some regions, a specific type of qualification that is usually below the level of a degree. Learners also sometimes treat "diploma" as uncountable (e.g., *I have diploma*); it is countable, so you should say *I have a diploma* or *I have two diplomas*.
Meaning
certificate showing study completed
Collocations
high school diploma
|college diploma
|receive a diploma
|earn a diploma
|frame a diploma
|diploma ceremony
Synonyms
certificate (A general term for an official document; not all certificates are for completing a course of study, whereas a diploma usually is.)
Antonyms
expulsion (Being formally forced to leave a school is the opposite situation to successfully finishing and receiving a diploma.)
Themes
education
|documents
|work
Definition
An official paper you get from a school or university that shows you finished a course or level of study.
An official certificate issued by a school, college, or university to show that someone has successfully completed a particular course or level of study.
NOUN
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] does/takes a diploma in [subject]
She’s doing a two‑year diploma in graphic design at the local college.
A helyi főiskolán kétéves grafikai tervezői okleveles képzésre jár.
He completed a diploma in business management before starting his own company.
Mielőtt elindította a saját cégét, üzleti menedzsmentből szerzett szakképesítést.
Many nursing assistants only need a one‑year diploma course to begin working.
The college offers an evening diploma in digital marketing.
After her diploma in childcare, she plans to go on to a degree.
Learner examples
I want to do a diploma in English.
Szeretnék elvégezni egy angol nyelvi okleveles képzést.
She finished a one‑year diploma course.
Elvégzett egy egyéves okleveles képzést.
He has a diploma in computer science.
This college offers a diploma in tourism.
After the diploma, he will start work.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "diploma" when they mean "degree" in varieties of English where these are different. In British English, a *diploma* is often shorter or lower level than a *degree*. Also, the common phrase is *do a diploma* or *take a diploma*, not *read a diploma* or *study a diploma* (you *study for a diploma*).
Meaning
educational qualification or course
Collocations
do a diploma
|diploma in [subject]
|two-year diploma
|vocational diploma
|postgraduate diploma
|diploma course
Synonyms
qualification (A broad term for any official level of education or training; "diploma" is a more specific type of qualification or course.)
Antonyms
unqualified (Describes someone who does not have the necessary training or certificates, which is the opposite of having a diploma.)
Themes
education
|careers
|training
Definition
A special course or qualification in a subject, usually shorter or lower than a university degree.
A specific type of educational qualification or program of study, often vocational or specialized and usually below the level of a university degree, especially in British and other Commonwealth English.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
[authority] issues a diploma granting [right/privilege]
The emperor granted the city a diploma confirming its trading privileges.
A császár kiváltságlevelet adományozott a városnak, amely megerősítette kereskedelmi kiváltságait.
A surviving diploma from the twelfth century records the founding of the monastery.
Egy fennmaradt tizenkettedik századi oklevél rögzíti a kolostor alapítását.
The landowners presented an old royal diploma as proof of their ancestral rights.
Learner examples
The king signed a diploma to give the land.
A király adománylevelet írt alá, amellyel földet adományozott.
Historians studied an old diploma from the church.
A történészek egy régi egyházi oklevelet tanulmányoztak.
The diploma from the ruler gave the town special rights.
Common mistake:
Learners may assume this sense is always about education. In historical or legal texts, "diploma" can mean a general official document, not a school certificate.
Meaning
formal document granting rights
Collocations
royal diploma
|imperial diploma
|diploma of nobility
|issue a diploma
|seal on the diploma
Synonyms
charter (A formal document granting rights or privileges; often used for towns, organizations, or institutions, similar in function to this sense of "diploma.")
Antonyms
revocation (The act or document that cancels previously granted rights, which is the opposite of granting them by diploma.)
Themes
law
|government
|history
|politics
Definition
A formal written paper from a government or other official group that gives someone a special right or honor.
An official written document issued by a government or other authority that formally grants a right, privilege, or honor.
Grammar
Dictionary form
diploma
IPA
GB/dɪplˈoʊmə/
US/dɪplˈoʊmə/
Syllables & stress
dip - loma (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (loma)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: diploma
- Plural: diplomas, diplomata
Word family
Forms
diplomas
noun
diplomata
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
undiplomatic
adjective
Expressions
college diploma
1/kˈɑlɪd͡ʒ dɪplˈoʊmə/
fixed phrase
certificate for college program
A paper that shows you finished a program at a college or similar school after high school.
Examples
- With her college diploma in hand, she started applying for teaching jobs.
- He went back to school at 30 to get a college diploma in accounting.
diploma course
1/dɪplˈoʊmə kˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
course that leads to a diploma
A course that you study and then receive a diploma at the end.
Examples
- The college offers a one‑year diploma course in tourism.
- This diploma course is designed for people who are already working.
diploma in [subject]
1/dɪplˈoʊmə ˈɪn sˈʌbd͡ʒɪkt/
fixed phrase
diploma with a specific subject
A course or qualification in a certain subject, for example a diploma in marketing or a diploma in English.
Examples
- She has a diploma in early childhood education.
- He’s thinking of doing a diploma in web development next year.
diploma mill
1/dɪplˈoʊmə mˈɪl/
fixed phrase
informal
untrustworthy school selling diplomas
A dishonest school that gives diplomas or degrees without real classes or work, usually for money.
Examples
- The so‑called university turned out to be a diploma mill.
- Employers are careful to avoid candidates with qualifications from diploma mills.
diploma program
1/dɪplˈoʊmə pɹˈoʊɡɹˌæm/
fixed phrase
organized course leading to diploma
A planned group of classes that you take in order to receive a diploma.
Examples
- The college’s diploma program in hospitality lasts two years.
- She enrolled in a diploma program to change her career.
do a diploma
1/dˈu ə dɪplˈoʊmə/
fixed phrase
study for a diploma course
To take a diploma course at a school or college.
Examples
- I’m going to do a diploma in business after I finish school.
- She wants to do a diploma before starting full‑time work.
high school diploma
1/hˈaɪ skˈul dɪplˈoʊmə/
fixed phrase
certificate for finishing high school
A paper you get when you finish high school, usually at about age 17 or 18.
Examples
- Most entry‑level jobs in the company require at least a high school diploma.
- He dropped out in tenth grade and never earned his high school diploma.
postgraduate diploma
1/pˈɑstɡɹˈæd͡ʒuˌeɪt dɪplˈoʊmə/
fixed phrase
diploma taken after a degree
A special course and qualification you can do after you already have a university degree.
Examples
- She’s studying for a postgraduate diploma in education.
- Many teachers complete a postgraduate diploma to improve their skills.