French word

bac

Pronunciation

IPA/bak/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhigh school diploma

Example

Elle a réussi son bac.

She earned her high school diploma.

Illustration for bac (high school diploma)

More examples

Il va passer le bac en juin.

He is going to take the baccalaureate exam in June.

Core concept

The decisive checkpoint at the end of secondary school, with success granting a route onward.

Common phrases

  • passer le bac

    take the baccalaureate exam

Similar words

baccalauréat: The formal high school qualification awarded after subject-specific examinations.
examen: An official test used to measure educational attainment.
diplôme: An official certificate proving completed studies or acquired skills.

Definition in French

Examen national passé à la fin du lycée dont la réussite confère le diplôme du baccalauréat et ouvre l'accès à certaines études supérieures.

Word origin

The noun bac comes from baccalauréat, itself borrowed through French from Medieval Latin baccalaureatus, meaning an academic degree.

Usage tips

  • In passer le bac, the verb passer means to sit or take the exam rather than to pass it; success is réussir le bac or réussir son bac.

Other meanings

  • baccalaureate examnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word