bookish
Americanadjective
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given or devoted to reading or study.
-
more acquainted with books than with real life.
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of or relating to books; literary.
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stilted; pedantic.
- Synonyms:
- scholastic, academic
adjective
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fond of reading; studious
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consisting of or forming opinions or attitudes through reading rather than direct personal experience; academic
a bookish view of life
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of or relating to books
a bookish career in publishing
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of bookish
Explanation
Someone bookish likes books a lot. They're either studious or always seem to be reading. Some people don't like studying. Others like studying a lot: it seems like their head is always in a book. Someone like that can be called bookish, because they are reading books all the time. Being bookish can mean someone is studious: an honors student is likely very bookish. Being bookish can also mean someone just enjoys reading. People in a book club are definitely bookish. This is a word for devoted readers.
Vocabulary lists containing bookish
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The bookish thriller "Verity" cleaned up in its North American box office debut this weekend while Tom Cruise flopped in "Digger" playing a rich old guy who thinks he can save the world.
From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026
To compile our expansive list we surveyed more than 200 bookish luminaries — along with a few zealous book club members.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
Clark, known for being social and outgoing, has interacted with politicians and potential investors on behalf of Amodei, chatting with them and bringing them over to meet her bookish husband at conferences and events.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Eric, bookish and unathletic, grew up in 1920s Vienna.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
She was my best friend, bookish like me, almost like my twin.
From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
