study

[ stuhd-ee ]

/ ˈstʌd i /

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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.

Nearby words

studio glass, studious, studiously, studly, studwork, study, study group, study hall, stuff, stuff and nonsense, stuff gown

Origin of study

1250–1300; (noun) Middle English studie < Old French estudie < Latin studium, equivalent to stud(ēre) to be busy with, devote oneself to, concentrate on + -ium -ium; (v.) Middle English studien < Old French estudier < Medieval Latin studiāre, derivative of studium

SYNONYMS FOR study

1 inquiry, research, reading, thought, consideration.

7 subject, field, area.

11 library, den.

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.

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Related forms

stud·i·a·ble, adjectivestud·i·er, nounnon·stud·y, noun, plural non·stud·ies.out·stud·y, 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for study

She completed a yoga teacher-training program and, in the spring of 2008, went on a retreat in Peru to study with shamans.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze|Lizzie Crocker|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Indeed, study after study affirms the benefits of involved fatherhood for women and children.
How Good Dads Can Change the World|Gary Barker, PhD, Michael Kaufman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A recent U.S. study found men get a “daddy bonus” —employers seem to like men who have children and their salaries show it.
How Good Dads Can Change the World|Gary Barker, PhD, Michael Kaufman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But most of this gap, say the researchers who carried out the study, is due to discrimination.
How Good Dads Can Change the World|Gary Barker, PhD, Michael Kaufman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST

But a 2011 study of genetic evidence from 30 ethnic groups in India disproved this theory.
The Himalayas’ Hidden Aryans|Nina Strochlic|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As a study of events arising out of the greatest drama of modern times the supremacy of the last-named is unquestioned.
The World's Greatest Books, Vol XII.|Arthur Mee
A study has also been made of standard designs for freight-cars of special types, such as tank-cars, steel-cars, and the like.
Our Railroads To-Morrow|Edward Hungerford
"I am improving my mind by the study of the French language," she said.
A Life Sentence|Adeline Sergeant
The first thing Buddy did was to stoop and study attentively the dead snake, to see if the tail still wiggled.
Cow-Country|B. M. Bower
My wish was to study physiology practically, but I shall not be able.
The Letters of William James, Vol. 1|William James

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

Word Origin and History for study

study

early 12c., from Old French estudier "to study" (French étude), from Medieval Latin studiare, from Latin studium "study, application," originally "eagerness," from studere "to be diligent" ("to be pressing forward"), from PIE *(s)teu- "to push, stick, knock, beat" (see steep (adj.)). The noun meaning "application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge" is recorded from c.1300. Sense of "room furnished with books" is from c.1300. Study hall is attested from 1891, originally a large common room in a college. Studious is attested from late 14c.

Medicine definitions for study

study

[ stŭd′ē ]

n.

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

study

noun, plural stud·ies.

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

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

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Origin of study

Examples from the Web for study

British Dictionary definitions for study

study

verb studies, studying or studied

noun plural studies

Word Origin for study

Word Origin and History for study

study

Medicine definitions for study

study

n.

v.

Idioms and Phrases with study

study