Major in means: To take (something) as one's major field of study in an institute of tertiary education (such as a college or university).. It is mainly Canadian English and may not be understood outside that context. It has drug-related associations; worth a calm conversation about which side of the topic your teen is on. It is an education-system term, so usage is institutional and routine.
major in
(US, Canada, education) To take (something) as one's major field of study in an institute of tertiary education (such as a college or university).
Seen in the wild
5 citations · last seen May 2026
Seen in the wild
BlueskyMay 2026
Pic épeiche. Dendrocopos major in the garden. #birds #garden #nature #photography
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BlueskyMay 2026
funny cause my father did major in economy
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BlueskyMay 2026
BIC Village Speaker Shoutout! 🎤 Ruben Stephen (MIT Class of 2027) is pursuing a dual major in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, driven by a passion for problem-solving and a desire to help others! blacks…
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BlueskyMay 2026
Nyu, a major in helplessness with a minor in puppy eyes
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BlueskyMay 2026
From BSA, Gabrielle Ojuolape is taking her talents into the next phase. She has been accepted to Virginia Commonwealth University, Temple University, UMBC, and more. Gabrielle plans to major in political science while…
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Definitions
#1·Apr 27, 2026
(US, Canada, education) To take (something) as one's major field of study in an institute of tertiary education (such as a college or university).
John majored in Computer Science, while Jane majored in Art.
For parents
Major in means: To take (something) as one's major field of study in an institute of tertiary education (such as a college or university).. It is mainly Canadian English and may not be understood outside that context. It has drug-related associations; worth a calm conversation about which side of the topic your teen is on. It is an education-system term, so usage is institutional and routine.
For ESL learners
major in means: To take (something) as one's major field of study in an institute of tertiary education (such as a college or university).. Register: very informal, often derogatory or vulgar. Avoid in formal, business, academic, or polite writing. Even in casual speech the word can offend and is best left out of a learner's active vocabulary. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
Cluster: drugs
Heard in the wild
“Pic épeiche. Dendrocopos major in the garden. #birds #garden #nature #photography”
— Bluesky· May 2026“funny cause my father did major in economy”
— Bluesky· May 2026“BIC Village Speaker Shoutout! 🎤 Ruben Stephen (MIT Class of 2027) is pursuing a dual major in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, driven by a passion for problem-solving and a desire to help others! blacksincyberconf.co... #DEFCON #DEFCON34 #BlacksInCyber #BICVillage”
— Bluesky· May 2026“Nyu, a major in helplessness with a minor in puppy eyes”
— Bluesky· May 2026“From BSA, Gabrielle Ojuolape is taking her talents into the next phase. She has been accepted to Virginia Commonwealth University, Temple University, UMBC, and more. Gabrielle plans to major in political science while minoring in musical theatre. #CitySchoolsCollege”
— Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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🗺️About Regional & Other slang
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.
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Other words near "major in" (M)
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Semantically related
- major78%
(education) Of or relating to a subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization.
- comajor78%
(US, Canada, Australia, and, New Zealand) One of multiple main areas of study of a student working toward a degree at an institute of tertiary education.
- comajor77%
(US, Canada, Australia, and, New Zealand, intransitive) To concentrate on one of multiple areas of study as a student in a college or university.
- minor in69%
(North American, education) To study as or qualify in a subsidiary subject at college or university.
- nonmajor67%
(US) A student who is not a major (specialist in one area).