What does sorority mean?
A sorority is a community, especially one formed by women students at a college or university, in which members share friendship, support, activities, and sometimes a set of common values. The word is also used more broadly for a close-knit group of women united by a sisterlike bond. In its institutional sense, a sorority may have formal membership, officers, ceremonies, residential facilities, and traditions, although its actual character varies greatly between organizations. It can carry positive connotations of solidarity and mutual support, but may also suggest social exclusivity, conformity, or rivalry with other groups. The term is most common in North American education, while British English recognizes it but uses it less frequently. Its Latin roots connect the modern student organization to the broader idea of sisterhood.
An organized community or social group of women students, especially at a college or university, formed for friendship, mutual support, shared activities, and often shared values.
"She was inducted into the sorority after her first year of university."
The institutional sense is especially common in North American English. Membership practices and organizational characteristics vary widely.
A close-knit group of women united by friendship, shared experiences, or a sense of sisterhood.
"Through their years together, the women formed an enduring sorority."
This broader and often literary sense is less tied to a formal student organization.
The plural is formed by adding -ies to the ending -ity, with the final y changing to i: sorority becomes sororities.
"The two sororities collaborated on a fundraising event."
The word sorority literally points to sisterhood: it comes from a Latin root meaning “sister,” linking modern student organizations to an ancient word for kinship.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sorority come from?
Sorority comes through Medieval Latin from Latin soror, meaning “sister,” with the suffix -ity forming a noun of condition or association. The Latin root is also reflected in English words such as sororal, meaning “of or relating to a sister,” and sororate, a social system based on marriage or sexual relationships between siblings. The development of sorority in English reflects the longstanding use of “sister” as a metaphor for solidarity among women.
Related word forms
How sorority is actually used
In contemporary American usage, “sorority” most often refers to a college-based organization, but the broader sense of a female fellowship or sisterhood is also established. The term can be neutral, positive, or, depending on context, mildly critical when it refers to exclusivity or conformity. British usage is less common in reference to student organizations, though the word remains understood.
Easily confused with sorority
A sorority is generally a social organization or community for women, whereas a fraternity is generally the corresponding organization for men at a college or university.
A sorority often has an institutional structure, membership, and organized activities, while sisterhood emphasizes the bond among women and may be informal or descriptive.