study

[ stuhd-ee ]
See synonyms for study on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural stud·ies.
  1. application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, such as by reading, investigation, or reflection: Long hours of study had made her an expert.

  2. the cultivation of a particular branch of learning, science, or art: The study of law is challenging for many.

  1. Often studies. a personal effort to gain knowledge: She made many sacrifices to pursue her studies.

  2. something the mind is or will be applied to: Balzac's study was human nature.

  3. research or a detailed examination and analysis of a subject, phenomenon, etc.: She made a study of the transistor market for her firm.

  4. a written account of detailed research, examination, or analysis: He published a study of Milton's poetry.

  5. a well-defined, organized branch of learning or knowledge.

  6. zealous endeavor or assiduous effort.

  7. the object of endeavor or effort.

  8. deep thought, reverie, or a state of abstraction: He was lost in study and did not hear us come in.

  9. a room, in a house or other building, set apart for private intellectual effort, reading, writing, or the like.

  10. Also called étude. Music. a composition that combines exercise in technique with a greater or lesser amount of artistic value.

  11. Literature.

    • a literary composition executed for exercise or as an experiment in a particular method of treatment.

    • such a composition dealing in detail with a particular subject, as a single main character.

  12. Art. something produced as an educational exercise, as a memorandum or record of observations or effects, or as a guide for a finished production: She made a quick pencil sketch of his hands as a study for the full portrait in oils.

  13. a person, such as an actor, considered in terms of their quickness or slowness in memorizing lines: He's always been a quick study.

verb (used without object),stud·ied, stud·y·ing.
  1. to apply oneself to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or practice.

  2. to apply oneself; endeavor.

  1. to think deeply, reflect, or consider.

  2. to take a course of learning, as at a college.

verb (used with object),stud·ied, stud·y·ing.
  1. to apply oneself to acquiring a knowledge of (a subject).

  2. to examine or investigate carefully and in detail: to study the political situation.

  1. to observe attentively; scrutinize: to study a person's face.

  2. to read carefully or intently: to study a book.

  3. to endeavor to learn or memorize, as a part in a play.

  4. to consider, as something to be achieved or devised.

  5. to think out, as the result of careful consideration or devising.

Origin of study

1
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun studi(e), from Old French estudie, from Latin studium, equivalent to stud(ēre) “to be busy with, devote oneself to, concentrate on” + -ium -ium; verb ultimately derivative of Latin noun

synonym study For study

21. Study, consider, reflect, weigh imply fixing the mind upon something, generally doing so with a view to some decision or action. Study implies an attempt to obtain a grasp of something by methodical or exhaustive thought: to study a problem. To consider is to fix the thought upon something and give it close attention before making a decision concerning it, or beginning an action connected with it: to consider ways and means. Reflect implies looking back quietly over past experience and giving it consideration: to reflect on similar cases in the past. Weigh implies a deliberate and judicial estimate, as by a balance: to weigh a decision.

Other words for study

Other words from study

  • stud·i·a·ble, adjective
  • stud·i·er, noun
  • non·stud·y, noun, plural non·stud·ies.
  • outstudy, verb (used with object), out·stud·ied, out·stud·y·ing.
  • pre·stud·y, verb (used with object), pre·stud·ied, pre·stud·y·ing, noun, plural pre·stud·ies.
  • re·stud·y, noun, plural re·stud·ies, verb, re·stud·ied, re·stud·y·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use study in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for study

study

/ (ˈstʌdɪ) /


verbstudies, studying or studied
  1. to apply the mind to the learning or understanding of (a subject), esp by reading: to study languages; to study all night

  2. (tr) to investigate or examine, as by observation, research, etc: to study the effects of heat on metal

  1. (tr) to look at minutely; scrutinize

  2. (tr) to give much careful or critical thought to

  3. to take a course in (a subject), as at a college

  4. (tr) to try to memorize: to study a part for a play

  5. (intr) to meditate or contemplate; reflect

nounplural studies
    • the act or process of studying

    • (as modifier): study group

  1. a room used for studying, reading, writing, etc

  1. (often plural) work relating to a particular discipline: environmental studies

  2. an investigation and analysis of a subject, situation, etc: a study of transport provision in rural districts

  3. a product of studying, such as a written paper or book

  4. a drawing, sculpture, etc, executed for practice or in preparation for another work

  5. a musical composition intended to develop one aspect of performing technique: a study in spiccato bowing

  6. theatre a person who memorizes a part in the manner specified: a quick study

  7. in a brown study in a reverie or daydream

Origin of study

1
C13: from Old French estudie, from Latin studium zeal, inclination, from studēre to be diligent

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with study

study

see brown study.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.