What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
collegiate
Example
She wore a collegiate sweatshirt to show her support for her alma mater. [collegiate: adjective]
Example
The collegiate atmosphere on campus is vibrant and full of intellectual discussions. [collegiate: noun]
collegial
Example
The team had a collegial discussion to find the best solution to the problem. [collegial: adjective]
Example
The collegiality among the staff members made the workplace a pleasant and productive environment. [collegiality: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Collegial is more commonly used than collegiate in everyday language. Collegial is a versatile term that can be applied to various professional settings, while collegiate is more specific to the world of higher education.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between collegiate and collegial?
Both collegiate and collegial can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, collegiate may be more commonly used in informal conversations among students or alumni, while collegial is often used in professional or academic discussions.
