n.
Pronunciation: ' gra-j ə - ˌ w ā t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -at · ed ; -at · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin graduatus, past participle of graduare, from Latin gradus step, degree
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 a : to grant an academic degree or diploma to b : to be graduated from
2 a : to mark with degrees of measurement b : to divide into grades or intervals
3 : to admit to a particular standing or grade
intransitive verb
1 : to receive an academic degree or diploma
2 : to pass from one stage of experience, proficiency, or prestige to a usually higher one
3 : to change gradually
– grad · u · a · tor \ - ˌ w ā -t ə r \ noun
usage In the 19th century the transitive sense (1a) was prescribed; the intransitive <I graduated from college> was condemned. The intransitive prevailed nonetheless, and today it is the sense likely to be prescribed and the newer transitive sense (1b) <she graduated high school> the one condemned. All three are standard. The intransitive is currently the most common, the new transitive the least common.