Quick Definition
A course (noun) is: (1) a series of lessons or lectures on a particular subject; (2) a direction or path that something or someone takes; or (3) a part of a meal served at one time. It also appears in the very common phrase of course, meaning certainly or naturally.
Etymology
Course comes from Old French cours and Latin cursus, meaning "a running" or "the act of running", derived from the verb currere (to run). The word entered Middle English in the 14th century, initially carrying the sense of movement along a route — a river's course, a ship's course. Over time the meaning expanded: first to a planned sequence of actions or events, then to a structured programme of study, and later to a portion of a meal served in sequence. All three modern senses share the core idea of something that follows a set path or order.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & Usage note |
|---|---|
| She enrolled on a course in English grammar. | A2 — study programme |
| Of course you can borrow my dictionary. | B1 — fixed phrase: certainly |
| The main course was grilled salmon with vegetables. | B1 — part of a meal |
| The ship altered course to avoid the storm. | B2 — direction / route |
| Over the course of the negotiations, both sides moved closer to an agreement. | C1 — 'over the course of' = during |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| take a course | I decided to take a course in web design. |
| enrol on a course | You can enrol on the course at any time of year. |
| complete a course | Students who complete the course receive a certificate. |
| intensive course | She did an intensive course before her exam. |
| crash course | He took a crash course in Italian before his holiday. |
| online course | There are hundreds of free online courses available. |
| main course | For the main course, I ordered chicken. |
| three-course meal | The restaurant offered a three-course meal for £30. |
| stay on course | Despite the setbacks, the project stayed on course. |
| of course | Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. |
Usage Notes
- In British English, enrol on a course is strongly preferred over enrol in a course. Use on when writing for British audiences or in exams such as IELTS and Cambridge.
- Do not confuse course with the homophone coarse. Coarse is an adjective meaning rough in texture or rude in manner: coarse fabric, coarse language.
- The phrase of course is extremely common in both formal and informal contexts. Overuse can make writing sound too casual; in formal writing, prefer naturally or certainly when appropriate.
- When course means a period of time, it typically appears in the construction over the course of: over the course of the week / year / project.
- Course can also function as an intransitive verb (literary register) meaning to flow or move rapidly: Tears coursed down her face. This use is rare in everyday speech but appears in literature and C1+ texts.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
I am enrolling in a course of English.
I am enrolling on a course in English. (British English: enrol on, not in; a course in [subject])
The fabric felt very course and rough.
The fabric felt very coarse and rough. (coarse = rough texture; course = direction / lessons / meal)
Of course of this, we need to act quickly.
As a result of this, we need to act quickly. ('Of course of' is not a valid English phrase; do not blend 'of course' with 'as a result of')
Related Words
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Frequently Asked Questions about “course”
What does course mean in English?
Course has three main meanings. First, a series of lessons or study: 'She enrolled on an English course.' Second, a direction or route: 'The ship stayed on course.' Third, a part of a meal: 'The starter was the first course.' The expression 'of course' means naturally or certainly.
What is the difference between course and coarse?
Course and coarse are homophones — they sound identical (/kɔːs/) but have completely different meanings. Course refers to a path, a series of lessons, or part of a meal. Coarse is an adjective meaning rough in texture or rude in manner: 'coarse sandpaper', 'coarse language'. Always check the spelling carefully.
What does 'of course' mean?
'Of course' is a fixed phrase meaning certainly, naturally, or as you would expect. It can agree with something ('Of course I'll help you.'), show that something is obvious ('Of course water boils at 100°C.'), or politely grant a request ('Of course you may borrow it.'). It is very common in both formal and informal British English.
How do you use course in a sentence?
Use course as a countable noun preceded by an article or determiner: 'a course', 'the course', 'this course'. For study: 'I am taking a course in business English.' For direction: 'The pilot changed course.' For meals: 'We ordered a three-course meal.' For the fixed phrase: 'Of course, you are welcome.'
What are common collocations with course?
Common collocations include: take a course, attend a course, complete a course, enrol on a course, pass a course, fail a course, intensive course, online course, crash course, and of course. In the direction sense: stay on course, change course, set a course. For meals: three-course meal, main course, first course.
Is it 'enrol on a course' or 'enrol in a course'?
Both are used, but British English strongly prefers 'enrol on a course': 'She enrolled on a course in English grammar.' American English tends to use 'enrol in a course'. If you are writing for a British audience — or using British English in an exam such as IELTS or Cambridge — choose 'enrol on'.
What is a crash course?
A crash course is an intensive short course designed to teach the most important information about a subject very quickly. For example: 'He did a crash course in Spanish before his trip.' The word crash here means rapid and intensive, not related to an accident. It is informal but very widely used in British English.
What is the plural of course?
The plural is courses: 'The university offers many courses in science and technology.' Courses can refer to multiple study programmes, multiple parts of a meal ('the courses were all delicious'), or multiple routes. The word is always countable in these senses.
What is the verb form of course?
Course can also be used as a verb meaning to flow or move rapidly: 'Tears coursed down her cheeks.' 'Blood coursed through his veins.' This verb use is more literary or poetic. It is less common than the noun, but it appears in C1–C2 level English texts and literature.
How can I practise the word course on LexFizz?
Use LexFizz's Flash Cards to test course and its collocations, or try the Complete the Sentence exercise to see course in context. The Vocabulary Quiz is also useful for checking whether you can distinguish course from similar words such as coarse, route, and programme.