What does degree mean?
A degree is fundamentally a unit of measurement — used to express temperature (as in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit) and angles (as in a ninety-degree angle) — but the word extends far beyond mathematics and science into everyday language. It can denote an amount or level of something, as in 'to a certain degree', indicating partial extent rather than totality. Perhaps most familiarly, a degree is also the academic qualification awarded by a university upon successful completion of a course of study, from a bachelor's to a doctorate. The word additionally appears in hierarchical scales, such as degrees of kinship or severity (as in first-degree murder). Derived from the Latin 'gradus', meaning step, degree carries connotations of progression, measurement, and achievement. Its flexibility makes it essential across scientific, academic, and everyday registers, allowing precise quantification as well as figurative description of intensity or rank.
nounA unit of measurement, especially of temperature or angles; an amount or level of something. Also an academic qualification awarded by a university or college.
- A unit of measurement for temperature or angles (e.g. degrees Celsius, a 90-degree angle).
- An amount, level, or extent of something.
- An academic qualification awarded by a university after completing a course of study.
- A step in a scale, series, or hierarchy (e.g. first-degree burns, degrees of kinship).
- In grammar and music: a stage in comparison of adjectives or a position in a musical scale.
"The temperature dropped to ten degrees below zero overnight."
"Water freezes at zero degrees Celsius."
"She earned her master's degree in economics from the London School of Economics."
Used when specifying measurements above one unit or multiple qualifications; singular 'degree' is used for a value of exactly one.
"Temperatures soared by several degrees within a single hour."
Every 'degree' you've ever earned traces back to the Latin word for a step on a staircase — climbing the academic ladder, one gradus at a time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of degree
The word 'degree' comes from Old French 'degré', derived from Vulgar Latin 'degradus', formed from the Latin 'de-' (down) and 'gradus' (step). It entered English in the Middle English period, initially referring to a step or stage in a sequence before extending to measurement and academic qualifications. It shares its Latin root with words like 'grade', 'graduate', 'gradual', and 'degrade'.
How degree is actually used
Commonly used in fixed phrases such as 'to some degree', 'to a large degree', and 'by degrees' (gradually), which carry slightly formal register. In academic contexts it is often abbreviated (e.g. BA, MA, PhD). The plural 'degrees' is used when stating measurements.
Easily confused with degree
A diploma typically certifies completion of a specific course of training, while a degree is a broader academic qualification conferred by a university.