Graduation Vocabulary

noun a school, college, or university that one has attended or from which one has graduated

• I received my degree from my alma mater, Harvard University.
• I'm planning to visit my alma mater next weekend for homecoming.
• I'm so excited to go back to my alma mater and party with all my old classmates!
• The small town where I grew up will always be my alma mater, where I learned important life lessons.

noun the action or process of finishing something

adjective used to describe something that is fully done or finished

• The project is nearing completion and will be finished by the end of the week.
• We're almost done with the project and should be finished by Friday.
• We're almost there, just a little more to go and we'll be done with the project.
• The completion of the project is like reaching the finish line in a race, we're almost there.

noun the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or diploma

• The graduation ceremony will be held at the university auditorium.
• I can't believe we finally made it to graduation!
• Graduation party at my place, don't miss out!
• Graduation symbolizes the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

noun items such as clothing, jewelry, or other accessories that are worn to symbolize a person's rank, status, or membership in a group

• The king's regalia included a crown, scepter, and royal robe.
• She felt like royalty wearing all that regalia for the costume party.
• Check out his flashy regalia, he must think he's a big shot.
• The regalia of success in the business world often includes a fancy car and expensive suit.

noun a farewell address or speech given at a graduation ceremony

adjective of or relating to a farewell address or speech

• The valedictory speech at the graduation ceremony was moving and eloquent.
• I heard that Sarah's valedictory speech was really good.
• Did you catch the valedictory address? It was lit!
• The sunset served as a valedictory to the day, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange.

noun a social gathering or party held to celebrate someone who is leaving a job or place

• The company is organizing a leaving do for our colleague who is retiring.
• We're throwing a leaving do for Sarah next Friday before she moves to her new job.
• Let's have a leaving do for Tom at the pub this weekend!
• Saying goodbye to my old self felt like a leaving do for the person I used to be.

noun a person who is about to receive a degree from a university or college

• The graduand received their diploma with honors.
• The graduand is finally done with school!
• The graduand is officially a graduate now.
• The graduand has crossed the finish line of their academic journey.

noun costume - a set of clothes worn to represent a particular period or way of life

• The professor wore his academic costume during the graduation ceremony.
• I need to remember to pick up my academic costume for the graduation.
• Check out my fresh academic costume for the ceremony!
• Donning his academic costume, the author prepared to defend his research findings.