book learning
Americannoun
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knowledge acquired by reading books, as distinguished from that obtained through observation and experience.
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formal education.
She thought that common sense was just as important as book learning.
noun
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knowledge gained from books rather than from direct personal experience
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formal education
Other Word Forms
- book-learned adjective
Etymology
Origin of book learning
First recorded in 1580–90
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.
But what he lacks in book learning he’s more than made up for in wisdom, humanity and street smarts.
From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2023
A new book illuminates that debate — now focused on all disadvantaged children — and reveals the remarkable success that vocational-technical schools in Massachusetts have had strengthening job skills and book learning.
From Washington Post • Jun. 19, 2022
During my dad’s illness, I experienced firsthand what had, until then, just been book learning: Financial planners are often at their best when your life is at its worst.
From New York Times • Feb. 26, 2021
“While book learning was the star of the show up until now, practical, hands-on learning has come into the picture.”
From Seattle Times • Jun. 3, 2020
But what is important to Gilbert is not just book learning, or even the performing of experiments.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions 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.
