School / B1

SEK-uh-ndree/ˈsekəndri/

Secondary means second in importance, or connected with education after primary: a secondary school (about 11–16). Primary is the contrast. Second is already in the dictionary and is only order. Strikes: secondary schools closed; primaries stayed open.

Meaning

Second in importance; also connected with education after primary school.

Examples

• “Secondary schools closed for the strike; primaries stayed open.”
• “A secondary infection is a medical sense, not a Year 7 form.”

Good to know

a secondary school / pupil. Contrast: primary. Other: of secondary importance. Education news / health. Not a synonym for “second” in every sentence.

Topics

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