study

[ stuhd-ee ]

/ ˈstʌd i /

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See synonyms for: study / studied / studies / studying on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural stud·ies.

application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or reflection: long hours of study.

the cultivation of a particular branch of learning, science, or art: the study of law.

Often studies. a personal effort to gain knowledge: to pursue one's studies.

something studied or to be studied: Balzac's study was human nature.

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

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

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

zealous endeavor or assiduous effort.

the object of such endeavor or effort.

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

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

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

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.

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.

a person, as an actor, considered in terms of his or her quickness or slowness in memorizing lines: a quick study.

verb (used without object), stud·ied, stud·y·ing.

to apply oneself to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or practice.

to apply oneself; endeavor.

to think deeply, reflect, or consider.

to take a course of study, as at a college.

verb (used with object), stud·ied, stud·y·ing.

to apply oneself to acquiring a knowledge of (a subject).

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

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

to read carefully or intently: to study a book.

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

to consider, as something to be achieved or devised.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR study

1 inquiry, research, reading, thought, consideration.

7 subject, field, area.

11 library, den.

See synonyms for study on Thesaurus.com

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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

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Origin of study

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

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 FROM study

stud·i·a·ble, adjectivestud·i·er, nounnon·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. 2022

How to use study in a sentence

Today, the two living species of colugos are found only in Southeast Asia, though recent studies suggest that two is an imperfect count.
On a cool night in Malaysia, scientists track mysterious colugos across the treetops|Yao-Hua Law|November 20, 2020|Science News
Over the last century or so, chess players, the study shows, have been getting better as well as younger.
Scientists Analyzed 24,000 Chess Matches to Understand Cognition - Facts So Romantic|Brian Gallagher|November 20, 2020|Nautilus
The idea behind the study relies on knowledge of how LFP battery capacity degrades.
New “targeted healing” approach rejuvenates run-down battery materials|Scott K. Johnson|November 19, 2020|Ars Technica
Many of these earlier research projects were individual case studies that measured just a single product.
Does Advertising Actually Work? (Part 1: TV) (Ep. 440)|Stephen J. Dubner|November 19, 2020|Freakonomics

I saw that quoted by a Facebook spokesperson in response to a study that came out from Avaaz in August.
EmTech Stage: Facebook’s CTO on misinformation|Tate Ryan-Mosley|November 18, 2020|MIT Technology Review

British Dictionary definitions for study

study

/ (ˈstʌdɪ) /

verb studies, studying or studied

to apply the mind to the learning or understanding of (a subject), esp by readingto study languages; to study all night

(tr) to investigate or examine, as by observation, research, etcto study the effects of heat on metal

(tr) to look at minutely; scrutinize

(tr) to give much careful or critical thought to

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

(tr) to try to memorizeto study a part for a play

(intr) to meditate or contemplate; reflect

noun plural studies

the act or process of studying
(as modifier)study group

a room used for studying, reading, writing, etc

(often plural) work relating to a particular disciplineenvironmental studies

an investigation and analysis of a subject, situation, etca study of transport provision in rural districts

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

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

a musical composition intended to develop one aspect of performing techniquea study in spiccato bowing

theatre a person who memorizes a part in the manner specifieda quick study

in a brown study in a reverie or daydream

Word Origin for study

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

Medical definitions for study

study

[ stŭd′ē ]

Research, detailed examination, or analysis of an organism, object, or phenomenon.

To research, examine, or analyze something.

Other Idioms and Phrases with study

study

see brown study.

study

OTHER WORDS FOR study

Origin of study

synonym study for study

OTHER WORDS FROM study

Words related to study

How to use study in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for study

Word Origin for study

Medical definitions for study

Other Idioms and Phrases with study