Bachelor Meaning
/ˈbæt͡ʃ.ə.lə(ɹ)/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA person, especially a man, who is socially regarded as able to marry, but has not yet.
nounThe first or lowest academic degree conferred by colleges and universities; a bachelor's degree.
Sentence Examples
I am a bachelor.
He remained a bachelor all his life.
If he were a bachelor, I would marry him.
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the divorce, he lived alone as a confirmed ____ for many years.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He lived as a ____ in a small apartment for many long years.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English bacheler, from Anglo-Norman and Old French bacheler (modern French bachelier), from Medieval Latin baccalārius, baccalāris (compare Tuscan baccalare (“squire”)).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"As merry and mellow an old bachelor as ever followed a hound."
— 1824, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], Tales of a Traveller, (please specify |part=1 to 4), Philadelphia, Pa.: H[enry] C[harles] Carey & I[saac] Lea, […], →OCLC:
"I knew from the beginning that I would have to move fast to keep Minnie to myself. Kansas City was full of rakehell bachelors, all of whom I had to outcourt."
— 1982, Roy Wilkins, Tom Mathews, Standing Fast: The Autobiography of Roy Wilkins - Volume 10, page 79:
"A bachelor still, by keeping of your portion :
And keep you not alone without a husband"
— 1632 (first performance), Benjamin Jonson [i.e., Ben Jonson], “The Magnetick Lady: Or, Humors Reconcil’d. A Comedy […]”, in The Workes of Benjamin Jonson. The Second Volume. […] (Second Folio), London: […] Richard Meighen, published 1640, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the divorce, he lived alone as a confirmed ____ for many years.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He lived as a ____ in a small apartment for many long years.