Definition

1. Noun:
   • A unit of measurement for angles or arcs: A degree is a unit used to measure angles, with a full circle equaling 360 degrees.
   • A unit of measurement for temperature: A degree is a unit on a temperature scale, such as Celsius or Fahrenheit.
   • A level or amount of something: A degree refers to the extent, intensity, or amount of a quality, condition, or action.
   • An academic award: A degree is a title conferred by a college or university upon completion of a course of study.
   • A level in a scale or series: A degree can indicate a step or stage in a process, hierarchy, or progression.
   • The seriousness or level of a crime, burn, etc.: In legal or medical contexts, degree specifies the severity or classification (e.g., first-degree, second-degree).

Examples of Usage

• Angle/Arc Measurement:
  • A right angle is 90 degrees.
  • The compass showed we needed to turn 45 degrees to the north.
• Temperature Measurement:
  • Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
  • The temperature dropped to freezing, zero degrees.
• Level or Amount:
  • She has a high degree of skill in mathematics.
  • I agree with you to a certain degree.
• Academic Award:
  • He received a bachelor's degree in history.
  • She is studying for a master's degree.
• Step in a Scale or Process:
  • The project is in its final degree of completion.
  • We must consider every degree of this complex problem.
• Seriousness/Classification:
  • He was charged with murder in the first degree.
  • The patient suffered from second-degree burns.

Advanced Usage

• "By degrees": Gradually, little by little.
  • Her health improved by degrees after the surgery.
• "To a degree": To some extent; partly.
  • His explanation was correct, but only to a degree.
• "Third degree": (Informal) Intensive questioning or interrogation.
  • The detectives gave the suspect the third degree.

Variants and Related Words

• Degreed (adj): Having an academic degree.
  • The position requires a degreed professional.
• Degreeless (adj): Without an academic degree.
  • Despite being degreeless, he was highly knowledgeable.

Synonyms

• Extent: The degree or scope of something.
• Level: A position on a scale of intensity or amount.
• Grade: A level or rank in a scale.
• Stage: A point, period, or step in a process.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Degree" is primarily a noun and does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The related expressions are idiomatic.)

Related Idioms

• To the nth degree: To the utmost extent; to an extreme.
  • He is meticulous to the nth degree.
• Take one's degree: To graduate and receive an academic degree.
  • She will take her degree next spring.

Noun

1. the seriousness of something (e.g., a burn or crime)
   • murder in the second degree
   • a second degree burn
2. a unit of temperature on a specified scale
   • the game was played in spite of the 40-degree temperature
3. the highest power of a term or variable
4. a measure for arcs and angles
   • there are 360 degrees in a circle
5. an award conferred by a college or university signifying that the recipient has satisfactorily completed a course of study
   • he earned his degree at Princeton summa cum laude
6. a specific identifiable position in a continuum or series or especially in a process
   • a remarkable degree of frankness
   • at what stage are the social sciences?
7. a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
   • a moderate grade of intelligence
   • a high level of care is required
   • it is all a matter of degree