laurea

university degree

noun lah-OO-reh-ah Less Common

Origin: From Latin laurea (laurel wreath), as graduates were historically crowned with laurel.

Also means

laurel wreath

Usage Note

Laurea specifically means an Italian university first degree — equivalent to a bachelor's or master's degree depending on the cycle. The graduation ceremony is called la discussione della tesi; after graduating a person is laureato/a. Prendere la laurea or laurearsi = to graduate. Do not confuse with a high-school diploma, which is il diploma di maturità.

Examples

"Ha preso la laurea in giugno."

Natural Translation

She got her degree in June.

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