study
Americannoun
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studies
plural
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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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studies,
present (3rd person singular)
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studied,
past participle, past
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studying
present participle
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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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studies,
present (3rd person singular)
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studied,
past participle, past
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studying
present participle
-
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:
Novartis shelves a study for Fabhalta in patients with a serious kidney-disease complication, adding to a growing list of clinical setbacks.
From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026
Croick and Dieffenbach worked via Zoom to study schemes, installations and the skills it took to play under center.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Gen X and millennials make up the largest patient populations for both genders, the study found.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
A national study from the United States found that pregnancy rates for women over the age of 40 using donor eggs was pretty similar to rates at younger ages.
From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026
“There is no Butterfly. Welcome to our study block!”
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
Animal studies make up a good portion of this kind of research, and without more high-quality studies in people, we can’t say whether the findings translate to humans.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
But that deal is widely seen as "not worth the paper it's printed on," said James Chin, professor of Asian studies at the University of Tasmania.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
After graduating with degrees in Spanish and rhetoric and communications studies, Horton played professionally in Europe.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
That is a first thing that will surprise history when it studies this time.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
We’re only in eighth grade, but everyone knows she’s already picked out her first three college choices, her probable major and potential minor and the focus of her eventual graduate studies.
From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen
To investigate how microorganisms digest biodegradable plastics, University of Konstanz biologists Harry Lerner and David Schleheck studied the entire process of microbial decomposition.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
Centineo says the film's stunt team closely studied each character's video game movements to ensure their signature moves were accurately depicted on film.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
Around 200 protein degraders are being studied worldwide, with more than $5 billion in deals for these drugs from 2021 to 2026, according to biopharma-intelligence service Sleuth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
"In Gaza I studied online, because of the war."
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
Then he studied the ocean and he studied the canvas.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
Weimar in the early 1920s was a bohemia where a young Marlene Dietrich, studying violin in the city, could meet Alma Mahler, the widow of Gustav and former wife of Gropius.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
While studying the topic at university, the activist - who helped reform sexual consent education standards in Australia - came up with a campaign for change.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
In Rome, Milan and Bologna, students have also pitched their tents in city centres to protest against the cost of living and of studying.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
Kim said USC, which is test-optional, is studying the issue too.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
I showed him the book, and he took his time studying the drawings.
From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
