study

American  

[stuhd-ee] / ˈstʌd i /

noun

• studies
  plural

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.

   Synonyms:

   consideration, thought, reading, research, inquiry

2. the cultivation of a particular branch of learning, science, or art.

   The study of law is challenging for many.

3. Often studies. a personal effort to gain knowledge.

   She made many sacrifices to pursue her studies.

4. something the mind is or will be applied to.

   Balzac's study was human nature.

5. research or a detailed examination and analysis of a subject, phenomenon, etc..

   She made a study of the transistor market for her firm.

6. a written account of detailed research, examination, or analysis.

   He published a study of Milton's poetry.

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

   Synonyms:

   area, field, subject

8. zealous endeavor or assiduous effort.

9. the object of endeavor or effort.

10. deep thought, reverie, or a state of abstraction.

    He was lost in study and did not hear us come in.

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

    Synonyms:

    den, library

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

13. Literature.

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

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

14. 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.

15. a person, such as an actor, considered in terms of their quickness or slowness in memorizing lines.

    He's always been a quick study.

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verb (used without object)

• studies,
  present (3rd person singular)
• studied,
  past participle,  past
• studying
  present participle

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

2. to apply oneself; endeavor.

3. to think deeply, reflect, or consider.

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

verb (used with object)

• studies,
  present (3rd person singular)
• studied,
  past participle,  past
• studying
  present participle

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.

3. to observe attentively; scrutinize.

   to study a person's face.

4. to read carefully or intently.

   to study a book.

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

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

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

study British  

/ ˈstʌdɪ /

verb

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

3. (tr) to look at minutely; scrutinize

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

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

6. (tr) to try to memorize

   to study a part for a play

7. (intr) to meditate or contemplate; reflect

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noun

1. 1. the act or process of studying

   2. ( as modifier )

      study group

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

3. (often plural) work relating to a particular discipline

   environmental studies

4. an investigation and analysis of a subject, situation, etc

   a study of transport provision in rural districts

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

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

7. a musical composition intended to develop one aspect of performing technique

   a study in spiccato bowing

8. theatre a person who memorizes a part in the manner specified

   a quick study

9. in a reverie or daydream

study Idioms  

1. see brown study.

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Synonym Usage

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 Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonstudy
  noun
• restudy
  noun
• studier
  noun
• outstudy
  verb (used with object)
• prestudy
  verb (used with object)
• studiable
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• studies
  plural

Participles

• studying
  present
• studied
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• study
  simple
• studies
  simple
• have studied
  perfect
• has studied
  perfect
• am studying
  progressive
• are studying
  progressive
• is studying
  progressive
• have been studying
  perfect progressive
• has been studying
  perfect progressive

Past

• studied
  simple
• had studied
  perfect
• was studying
  progressive
• were studying
  progressive
• had been studying
  perfect progressive

Future

• will study
  simple
• will have studied
  perfect
• will be studying
  progressive
• will have been studying
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of study

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

Explanation

It might seem as if you've gone catatonic, staring at a crack in the sidewalk for so long, but really you're observing it as closely as possible for your study of ant movement. Study has many different senses related to learning or concentrating. You might make a drawing of something you'll paint later — the drawing's a study. Your boss might ask you to do a study of your office's energy use. As a verb, study is for the work you do in the library, or for the act of really taking something in, the way you study your friend's face to see if she really forgot your birthday or if she's just joking.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

study studies studied studying

A 2024 study published in the journal Climate Risk Management suggested that any temperature above 24C can compromise learning.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

LONDON—Rumaysah Khan was offered a place to study at the University of Oxford.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026

Over the next several years, the researchers plan to use the same technique to study galaxies from even earlier periods.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 22, 2026

Absent a background check, Councilmember Sharon Kwan suggested during this month’s study session that council candidates answer a questionnaire about whether they or any of their family members are connected to a foreign government.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026

I put my guitar into the case and click it shut, then study our other bandmate, Awesiinh, who is air drumming.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Miles also presented scientific studies on the flaws of eyewitness identifications, and collected DNA evidence didn’t match him, according to the Innocence Center.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026

The companies conducted safety studies and then, by 2019, were able to start the mid-stage study that could begin to determine whether the vaccine worked.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026

The researchers say the findings could now support dietary intervention studies involving people with obesity, chronic infections, and other conditions associated with weakened immune function.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 22, 2026

If the findings are confirmed in future studies and extended to additional vaccines, the approach could have uses well beyond COVID-19.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026

“After our tea and biscuits, we visited the art studio. The children left their paintings to dry. Miss Mortimer just went to gather them up. Meanwhile, our studies of ancient Rome have kept us busy.”

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

The crumbling girls' primary school which he gave me a tour of upsets him because the 62-year-old studied here from 1968 to 1973.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

A remarkably rare fossil studied by University of Oklahoma paleontologists is now helping fill in part of that missing picture.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026

Bond-Smith has studied how the state can create higher-paying jobs that retain local talent and attract skilled workers from the mainland.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

As colleges reopened, Xu studied metallurgy and was later assigned to a state-run steel factory.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

I’ve studied the maps, like I told Fabian I would.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

He says he found a supportive community and, after studying hard, he now works as a local gym instructor.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

Niederhoffer spent his life studying patterns and looking for connections.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

For friends Beatrice and Amelia, who are from St Helens, Merseyside, the cost of accommodation was a big factor in their decision to live at home while studying.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

When Niederhoffer was studying for his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago, the city’s athletic clubs would let him practice on their courts, but wouldn’t accept him as a member.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

“I’m studying the reflection in this store window, trying to identify which city they’re in.”

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Related Words

• application
• class
• consideration
• course
• debate
• examination
• exercise
• inquiry
• inspection
• investigation
• research
• review
• subject
• survey