diploma

[ dih-ploh-muh ]

noun

, plural di·plo·mas, Latin di·plo·ma·ta [dih-, ploh, -m, uh, -t, uh].

1. a document given by an educational institution conferring a degree on a person or certifying that the person has satisfactorily completed a course of study.
2. a document conferring some honor, privilege, or power.
3. a public or official document, especially one of historical interest:

   a diploma from Carolingian times.

verb (used with object)

, di·plo·maed, di·plo·ma·ing.

1. to grant or award a diploma to.

diploma

/ dɪˈpləʊmə /

noun

1. a document conferring a qualification, recording success in examinations or successful completion of a course of study
2. an official document that confers an honour or privilege

Other Words From

• predi·ploma noun
• undi·plomaed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diploma¹

1635–45; < Latin diplōma a letter of recommendation, an official document < Greek díplōma a letter folded double, equivalent to diplō-, variant stem of diploûn to double (derivative of diplóos; diplo- ) + -ma suffix of result

Word History and Origins

Origin of diploma¹

C17: from Latin: official letter or document, literally: letter folded double, from Greek; see diplo-

Example Sentences

Despite his father’s disapproval - art was not seen as a viable career in India at the time - Gaitonde funded his own studies and earned a diploma in 1948.

From BBC

The “earnings premium” in the report shows how much more college graduates earn when compared with those with only a high school diploma.

From Los Angeles Times

I would much rather go to an Ivy League school, play four years of football, have a great time, live an amazing life and have such a great degree and diploma.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Harris and Walz campaign must do more to bridge the diploma divide.

From Salon

“The police told me I needed to bring evidence to prove his innocence, so I gathered up his high school diploma, the deeds to his land, his repayment receipts on his bank loan, a declaration from his employer as to his good character,” she explains, showing the BBC the documents, which experts say almost no Salvadorean gang member would possess.

From BBC

Related Words

• credentials
• degree
• recognition
• voucher
• warrant