A sorority is a social organization for female college students. The word comes from the Latin soror, meaning “sister,” and sorority members often call each other sisters because they form close bonds during their college years.

When a young woman joins a sorority, she becomes part of a group that might live together in a special house, organize charity events, study together, and support each other through the challenges of college life. Each sorority has its own name, usually made of Greek letters like Alpha Delta Pi or Kappa Kappa Gamma, which is why people sometimes call them “Greek organizations.”

The male equivalent is called a fraternity, from the Latin frater meaning “brother.” Both fraternities and sororities started in American colleges in the 1700s and 1800s as places where students could form lifelong friendships and develop leadership skills.

Joining a sorority typically involves a selection process called “rush,” where students meet different sororities and decide which one feels like the right fit. Sororities often have traditions, symbols, and even secret handshakes or phrases that create a sense of belonging and shared identity. Many sororities emphasize scholarship, community service, and leadership, helping members develop skills they'll use long after graduation.