French word

lycée

Pronunciation

IPA/lise/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhigh school

Example

Mon frère est au lycée.

My brother is in high school.

Illustration for lycée (high school)

More examples

Mon oncle est professeur au lycée.

My uncle is a high school teacher.

Core concept

A school bridge where teenagers move from collège toward higher education or work through general, technological, or vocational studies.

Common phrases

  • élève au lycée

    high school student

  • professeur au lycée

    high school teacher

Similar words

école: A general educational setting for basic learning and lessons from preschool age through adulthood.
collège: A middle school for ages 11 to 15 that develops core academic skills.
université: A higher education institution for specialized study and degree programs after high school.
lycée professionnel: A job-oriented high school centered on vocational training and hands-on practice.

Definition in French

Institution située entre le collège et l'enseignement supérieur, proposant des parcours généraux, technologiques ou professionnels pour des élèves principalement âgés de quinze à dix-huit ans.

Word origin

Lycée comes through Latin lyceum from Greek Lykeion, the name of the place associated with Aristotle's school, and later became the French term for this level of education.

Usage tips

  • Lycée is masculine, and the common phrase is au lycée, formed by contracting à le lycée.

Opposites

  • école primaireelementary schoolnoun

Related words

  • lycéenhigh school studentnoun
  • lycéennehigh school studentnoun

Word lists with this word