The University of Washington, commonly referred to as UW, is a prestigious higher education institution located in Seattle, Washington. While it's commonly known by its full name, there are a few synonyms or alternate names that people may use when referring to the university. One popular option is simply "U Dub," which is a shortened version of the school's initials. Another option is "Washington University," though this can sometimes be confused with other universities by the same name. Finally, some locals may simply refer to it as "The University," especially if they live in or near Seattle and consider UW to be the most important university in the area.