Phrase guide

sixth form

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The final two years of secondary education, during which students of about 16 to 18 years of age prepare for their A-level examinations or equivalent qualifications.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Qualifier: UK except Scotland

Topics: education

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a sixth form college.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Earlier educational naming conventions in public schools termed every two years of education "forms" (itself sometimes said to be from form (“bench”), where students of certain ages would sit together, though disputed, or alternatively from form (“established method of expression or practice”)), where Years 12 and 13 (i.e. ages 16 to 18) was the "sixth" and final form. State schools adopted the term "sixth form" and retained it when the rest of the form structure was dropped.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese: 預科 /预科 (yùkē) — final two years of secondary schooling
  • Finnish: lukio — final two years of secondary schooling
  • French: classes de première et terminale — final two years of secondary schooling
  • German: Oberstufe — final two years of secondary schooling
  • German: Sekundarstufe II — final two years of secondary schooling
  • Hungarian: emelt szintű érettségire felkészítő — final two years of secondary schooling
  • Italian: quinta superiore — final two years of secondary schooling