What does tuition mean?
Tuition is a word used for both the teaching students receive and the money charged for that teaching. Its most common modern meaning is the fee paid for education, as in “the tuition at the university,” although “tuition fees” makes the financial sense especially clear. It can also refer more broadly to instruction, lessons, or the process of teaching. In British English, “private tuition” commonly describes paid lessons given to an individual outside the ordinary school system. The word generally has a formal, educational tone and may imply organized or regular instruction rather than casual learning. Although “tuition” is sometimes confused with “intuition,” the two have very different meanings: intuition is insight gained without conscious reasoning, while tuition concerns learning and teaching. The same Latin origin connects tuition with words such as tutor and tutelage.
Tuition is the instruction or teaching provided to students, especially as part of a regular course of lessons. It can also refer to the money paid for such instruction.
"Her tuition includes access to the library and online learning materials."
The financial sense is especially common, while “private tuition” often refers to individual lessons arranged outside a regular school or course.
To teach or instruct someone, especially in a regular course of lessons.
"He was tuitioned in Latin by a retired scholar."
This use is rare and literary in modern English; “tutored” or “taught” is more usual.
The plural is uncommon in modern English. “Tuition fees” is usually more idiomatic when referring to the charges for education.
"Several independent schools have increased their tuitions."
The word behind “tutor” also gave us tuition: both trace to Latin tueri, meaning “to be taught.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tuition come from?
Tuition comes from Latin tuitionem, meaning “teaching” or “instruction,” derived from tueri, “to be taught.” The word entered English during the late 16th century, initially in the sense of instruction or teaching, and later acquired the meaning of the money charged for teaching. Its relatives include tutor, tutelage, tutrix, and tutorship, all associated with the same Latin root.
How tuition is actually used
In the financial sense, tuition is common in British and American English, though “tuition fees” is often more explicit. In the sense of individual instruction, “private tuition” is particularly associated with British English. The verb is rare and literary in modern usage; “tutor” or “teach” is usually preferred.
Easily confused with tuition
Tuition refers to teaching or the fees charged for it, whereas intuition means understanding or insight gained without deliberate reasoning.