Bachelor vs. Batchelor — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 21, 2023
"Bachelor" refers to an unmarried man or a degree-holder from a college/university. "Batchelor" is an older and less common spelling of "bachelor."
Difference Between Bachelor and Batchelor
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Bachelor" is a common term in the English language that has two primary meanings. The first refers to an unmarried man. This is the context in which we often hear about "eligible bachelors." On the other hand, "batchelor" is a rarer, older spelling of "bachelor," which is seldom used in modern English.
"Bachelor" also signifies someone who has received an undergraduate degree from a college or university. These degrees are often termed "Bachelor's degrees," and people achieving such degrees are termed as having a "Bachelor of Arts" or a "Bachelor of Science," for instance. Meanwhile, "batchelor," while it can technically have the same meaning, is rarely used in this context due to its outdated nature.
Interestingly, the word "bachelor" has origins in Middle English from the term "bachelier," which means a young knight or a student. "Batchelor" also traces back to similar origins, but its usage declined over the centuries in favor of the now-standard "bachelor."
In modern English usage, especially in American English, "bachelor" is overwhelmingly preferred both in written and spoken contexts. "Batchelor," on the other hand, might be encountered in historical texts or in some rare contexts but would appear archaic or as a misspelling to most contemporary readers.
Comparison Chart
Modern Usage
Commonly used in contemporary contexts.
Rarely used, often seen as archaic.
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Primary Meaning
Refers to an unmarried man.
Older spelling of "bachelor."
Educational Context
Used to denote undergraduate degree holders.
Seldom used in this context.
Etymology
Derived from Middle English "bachelier."
Has similar historical origins.
Prevalence
Standard spelling in American English.
Less common and often overlooked.
Compare with Definitions
Bachelor
An unmarried man.
John remained a bachelor all his life.
Batchelor
An unmarried man.
Sir William was a batchelor for many a year in olden tales.
Bachelor
A person who holds a Bachelor's degree from a university or college.
Lisa is a bachelor in Computer Science.
Batchelor
A person who holds a Bachelor's degree from a university or college.
In ancient records, he was noted as a batchelor of arts.
Bachelor
A young male fur seal without a territory.
The bachelor seals often gathered in groups.
Batchelor
A young male fur seal without a territory.
Old maritime journals mentioned batchelor seals apart from the colony.
Bachelor
A man who is socially regarded as an eligible marriage partner.
He's the most sought-after bachelor in town.
Batchelor
A man who is socially regarded as an eligible marriage partner.
In classic literature, he was described as a noble batchelor.
Bachelor
A man who is not married.
Batchelor
(British) bachelor
Bachelor
A kind of bass, an edible fresh-water fish (Pomoxys annularis) of the southern United States.
Batchelor
The first or lowest academic degree conferred by universities and colleges.
Historical transcripts speak of individuals pursuing their batchelor's studies.
Bachelor
The first or lowest academic degree conferred by universities and colleges.
After four years, he earned his bachelor's degree.
Bachelor
A bachelor is a man who is not and has never been married.
Bachelor
A man who has never been married.
Bachelor
A man who is not married and is not involved in a serious romantic relationship.
Bachelor
A person who has completed the undergraduate curriculum of a college or university and holds a bachelor's degree.
Bachelor
A male animal that does not mate during the breeding season.
Bachelor
A young knight in the service of another knight in feudal times.
Bachelor
A person, especially a man, who is socially regarded as able to marry, but has not yet.
Bachelor
The first or lowest academical degree conferred by universities and colleges; a bachelor's degree.
Bachelor
Someone who has achieved a bachelor's degree.
Bachelor
(obsolete) An unmarried woman.
Bachelor
(obsolete) A knight who had no standard of his own, but fought under the standard of another in the field.
Bachelor
(obsolete) Among London tradesmen, a junior member not yet admitted to wear the livery.
Bachelor
A kind of bass, an edible freshwater fish (Pomoxis annularis) of the southern United States.
Bachelor
A man of any age who has not been married.
As merry and mellow an old bachelor as ever followed a hound.
Bachelor
An unmarried woman.
Bachelor
A person who has taken the first or lowest degree in the liberal arts, or in some branch of science, at a college or university; as, a bachelor of arts.
Bachelor
A knight who had no standard of his own, but fought under the standard of another in the field; often, a young knight.
Bachelor
In the companies of London tradesmen, one not yet admitted to wear the livery; a junior member.
Bachelor
A man who has never been married
Bachelor
A knight of the lowest order; could display only a pennon
Bachelor
Lead a bachelor's existence
Bachelor
(Canada) A bachelor apartment.
Common Curiosities
Do both words have the same meaning?
Yes, "batchelor" and "bachelor" convey the same meanings, but "batchelor" is an older version of the term.
Why do we see "bachelor" more commonly in texts?
"Bachelor" has become the standardized spelling in modern English, while "batchelor" has fallen out of common usage.
Is there any difference in pronunciation between the two words?
No, both words are typically pronounced the same way.
Can "batchelor" be used in modern writings?
While it's not incorrect, using "batchelor" in modern contexts might confuse readers as it's considered archaic.
Is "batchelor" a misspelling of "bachelor"?
In contemporary English, especially American English, "batchelor" is viewed as an outdated spelling of "bachelor."
How did "bachelor" and "batchelor" originate?
Both terms trace their origins to Middle English and have similar historical backgrounds.
Is "bachelor" used in other contexts outside of referring to unmarried men?
Yes, "bachelor" can refer to a degree holder or even specific animals like a young male fur seal without a territory.
Would using "batchelor" in an academic paper be acceptable?
It's advisable to use the modern "bachelor" spelling in academic and professional contexts to avoid confusion or appearing outdated.
Are there other old spellings of modern words like "batchelor"?
Yes, many words in English have older spellings that have evolved over time.
Why did "bachelor" become the preferred spelling over "batchelor"?
Language evolves, and standardized spellings emerge due to various factors like education, publishing practices, and societal preferences. "Bachelor" simply became the more accepted spelling over time.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
