study
Americannoun
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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
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the cultivation of a particular branch of learning, science, or art.
The study of law is challenging for many.
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Often studies. a personal effort to gain knowledge.
She made many sacrifices to pursue her studies.
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something the mind is or will be applied to.
Balzac's study was human nature.
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research or a detailed examination and analysis of a subject, phenomenon, etc..
She made a study of the transistor market for her firm.
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a written account of detailed research, examination, or analysis.
He published a study of Milton's poetry.
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a well-defined, organized branch of learning or knowledge.
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zealous endeavor or assiduous effort.
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the object of endeavor or effort.
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deep thought, reverie, or a state of abstraction.
He was lost in study and did not hear us come in.
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a room, in a house or other building, set apart for private intellectual effort, reading, writing, or the like.
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Also called étude. Music. a composition that combines exercise in technique with a greater or lesser amount of artistic value.
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Literature.
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a literary composition executed for exercise or as an experiment in a particular method of treatment.
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such a composition dealing in detail with a particular subject, as a single main character.
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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.
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a person, such as an actor, considered in terms of their quickness or slowness in memorizing lines.
He's always been a quick study.
verb (used without object)
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to apply oneself to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or practice.
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to apply oneself; endeavor.
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to think deeply, reflect, or consider.
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to take a course of learning, as at a college.
verb (used with object)
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to apply oneself to acquiring a knowledge of (a subject).
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to examine or investigate carefully and in detail.
to study the political situation.
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to observe attentively; scrutinize.
to study a person's face.
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to read carefully or intently.
to study a book.
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to endeavor to learn or memorize, as a part in a play.
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to consider, as something to be achieved or devised.
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to think out, as the result of careful consideration or devising.
verb
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to apply the mind to the learning or understanding of (a subject), esp by reading
to study languages
to study all night
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(tr) to investigate or examine, as by observation, research, etc
to study the effects of heat on metal
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(tr) to look at minutely; scrutinize
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(tr) to give much careful or critical thought to
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to take a course in (a subject), as at a college
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(tr) to try to memorize
to study a part for a play
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(intr) to meditate or contemplate; reflect
noun
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the act or process of studying
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( as modifier )
study group
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a room used for studying, reading, writing, etc
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(often plural) work relating to a particular discipline
environmental studies
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an investigation and analysis of a subject, situation, etc
a study of transport provision in rural districts
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a product of studying, such as a written paper or book
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a drawing, sculpture, etc, executed for practice or in preparation for another work
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a musical composition intended to develop one aspect of performing technique
a study in spiccato bowing
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theatre a person who memorizes a part in the manner specified
a quick study
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in a reverie or daydream
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
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nonstudynoun
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restudynoun
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studiernoun
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outstudyverb (used with object)
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prestudyverb (used with object)
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studiableadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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studysimple
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studiessimple
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have studiedperfect
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has studiedperfect
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am studyingprogressive
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are studyingprogressive
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is studyingprogressive
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have been studyingperfect progressive
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has been studyingperfect progressive
Past
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studiedsimple
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had studiedperfect
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was studyingprogressive
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were studyingprogressive
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had been studyingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing study
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Common Five-letter Words for Wordle, List 1
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"Return to Titanic" and "Talking with Robert Ballard"
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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.
See Examples For:
The study showed that 3.6 percent of respondents -- equivalent to some 1.25 million workers in the population -- did not work at all that week because of the heat.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
The ITA is carrying out a feasibility study into using cyclists' power data as part of its anti-doping strategy.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Homeschooling families are a challenging group to study.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
The authors of the study estimated that their circumscribed findings extrapolated countywide could represent up to $114 million in losses over a month of sustained enforcement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
“Our study session was a disaster I don’t want to repeat.”
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
"Older generations separated political life from everyday life," said Joyojeet Pal, a professor at the University of Michigan who studies technology and society.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Generic manufacturers can copy a small molecule’s chemical structure exactly and prove biological equivalence in a handful of studies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Several studies suggest that GDP per capita has declined by at least 6%, a serious recession in a period when most other major nations have seen modest economic growth.
From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026
There’s also been concern at religious studies programs amid different estimates of failure rates calculated by the Education Department.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
“I think I got an A on the social studies test,” Jonah said, trying to sound however he would normally sound on a normal day.
From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Even a retreat that flops can draw employees closer while they commiserate over its lameness, adds Michael I. Norton, a Harvard Business School professor who has studied group rituals.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
To investigate wildfire activity from this distant period, the researchers studied exceptionally well-preserved sediment from 4 drill cores.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026
"There are a number of points that have to be studied and solved. I'm still quite optimistic that we will have the process completed in due time," Mariani told AFP.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
Prof Alan Dunlop, who studied architecture at the GSA, has previously criticised GSA management's handling of the two fires and ran for chair of the board in 2022.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
I said, while I studied the pattern on that plate like I was memorizing it for an exam.
From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan
After studying terrestrial wildlife, he visited coastal fishing communities in 2018 and encountered what scientists describe as one of the world's least-known conservation crises.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
I am an anthropologist studying indigeneity, postcolonialism and ethnic violence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
I don’t really know any La Liga squads besides Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and FC Barcelona, so I have a lot of studying to do there.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
Safe's team is studying synthetic compounds that target the receptor more effectively than natural dietary substances, with the aim of developing possible treatments for cancer and other diseases.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 19, 2026
“Tell us, children, what have you been studying lately?’
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
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.
