school

A place where students learn and teachers give lessons.

• I walk to school every day.
• Our school has a new science teacher.
• Which school did you attend?

Similar words: academy, college, university

Common phrases: go to school, at school, school teacher

An institution where children learn before they go to college or university.

• My daughter starts school tomorrow.
• Both schools teach children aged five to eleven.
• He left school at sixteen and found a job.

Common phrases: primary school, secondary school, school uniform

A way of thinking shared by a group, or the people who follow it.

• There are two schools of thought.
• She belongs to a school that values tradition.
• Different philosophical schools offer different answers to this question.

How to use it: a school of thought (These writers belong to the same school of thought.)

Similar words: movement

Common phrases: school of thought, a philosophical school, the modern school

A group of fish or sea mammals swimming together.

• We saw a school of fish.
• Two schools of dolphins passed our boat.
• The divers followed a large school of mackerel.

How to use it: a school of + plural animal noun (A school of fish swam past the boat.)

Similar words: shoal

Common phrases: school of fish, school of dolphins, a large school

To teach someone knowledge or skills, often through careful training.

• They schooled their children at home.
• She was schooled in the art of negotiation.
• He schools young horses for their future riders.

How to use it: school someone in something (Her father schooled her in the basics of chess.)

Similar words: teach, train, educate

Common phrases: school someone in, school young children, school a horse

To beat someone easily and show that you are much better at something.

• Their team schooled us yesterday.
• She schooled her brother at basketball.
• I thought I was good until a beginner schooled me.

How to use it: school someone at/in something (My little brother schooled me at chess.)

Similar words: outclass, trounce

Common phrases: school someone at, school the opposition, school someone in

To deliberately control your face so that it does not show your feelings.

• He schooled his expression carefully.
• She schooled her face into a look of calm interest.
• I tried to school my features before opening the door.

How to use it: school your expression into something (She schooled her expression into a polite smile.)

Similar words: compose, control

Common phrases: school your expression, school your features, school your face