Definition of 'study'
Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense studies
, present participle studying
, past tense, past participle studied
3. countable noun
A study of a subject is a piece of research on it.
4. plural noun
You can refer to educational subjects or courses that contain several elements as studies of a particular kind.
6. verb
If you study something, you consider it or observe it carefully in order to be able to understand it fully.
7. countable noun
A study by an artist is a drawing which is done in preparation for a larger picture.
9. See also studied, case study
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
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Word Frequency
study in British English
verbWord forms: studies, studying, studied
1.
to study languages
to study all night
2. (transitive)
to study the effects of heat on metal
5.
to take a course in (a subject), as at a college
nounWord forms: plural studies
8.
a.
the act or process of studying
b.
(as modifier)
study group
9.
a room used for studying, reading, writing, etc
11.
an investigation and analysis of a subject, situation, etc
a study of transport provision in rural districts
12.
a product of studying, such as a written paper or book
13.
14.
a musical composition intended to develop one aspect of performing technique
a study in spiccato bowing
15. theatre
a person who memorizes a part in the manner specified
a quick study
16. See in a brown study
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C13: from Old French estudie, from Latin studium zeal, inclination, from studēre to be diligent
Word Frequency
study in American English
nounWord forms: plural ˈstudies
1.
the act or process of applying the mind so as to acquire knowledge or understanding, as by reading, investigating, etc.
2.
careful attention to, and critical examination and investigation of, any subject, event, etc.
3.
a.
a branch of learning or knowledge
b.
any subject of study
5.
a product of studying
; specif.,
b.
a work of literature or art treating a subject in careful detail and typically done as an exercise in technique, experimentation, or exploration
d.
7.
a state of mental absorption; reverie
8.
a room, as in a house, designed for study, writing, reading, etc.
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈstudied or ˈstudying
10.
to study history
11.
a.
to examine or investigate carefully
to study the problem of air pollution
b.
to look at carefully; scrutinize
to study a map
12.
b.
to concentrate on so as to memorize
13.
to take a course in, as at a school or college
verb intransitive
15.
to study something
16.
to be a student; take a regular course (at a school or college)
17.
to make earnest efforts; try hard
18.
to meditate; ponder
SIMILAR WORDS: conˈsider
Idioms:
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
study in American English
(ˈstʌdi) (noun plural studies, verb studied, studying)
noun
1.
application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or reflection
long hours of study
4.
something studied or to be studied
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 such research, examination, or analysis
He published a study of Milton's poetry
7.
a well-defined, organized branch of learning or knowledge
9.
the object of such 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.
12. Also called: étude Music
13. Literature
a.
a literary composition executed for exercise or as an experiment in a particular method of treatment
b.
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, as an actor, considered in terms of his or her quickness or slowness in
memorizing lines
a quick study
intransitive verb
16.
to apply oneself to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or
practice
17.
to apply oneself; endeavor
18.
to think deeply, reflect, or consider
19.
to take a course of study, as at a college
transitive verb
SYNONYMS 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. 20.
to apply oneself to acquiring a knowledge of (a subject)
21.
to examine or investigate carefully and in detail
to study the political situation
22.
to observe attentively; scrutinize
to study a person's face
23.
to read carefully or intently
to study a book
24.
to endeavor to learn or memorize, as a part in a play
26.
to think out, as the result of careful consideration or devising
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
studiable adjective
studier
noun
Word origin
[1250–1300; (n.) ME studie ‹ OF estudie ‹ L studium, equiv. to stud(ēre) to be busy with, devote oneself to, concentrate on + -ium -ium; (v.) ME studien ‹ OF estudier ‹ ML studiāre, deriv. of studium]Examples of 'study' in a sentence
study
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Quotations
Of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh Bible: Ecclesiastes
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In other languages
study
British English: study
/ˈstʌdɪ/ VERB
If you study, you spend time learning about a particular subject or subjects.
...a relaxed and happy atmosphere that will allow you to study to your full potential.
- American English: study /ˈstʌdi/
- Arabic: يَدْرُسُ
- Brazilian Portuguese: estudar
- Chinese: 学习
- Croatian: učiti
- Czech: studovat
- Danish: studere
- Dutch: studeren
- European Spanish: estudiar
- Finnish: opiskella
- French: étudier
- German: studieren
- Greek: μελετώ
- Italian: studiare
- Japanese: 勉強する
- Korean: 공부하다
- Norwegian: studere
- Polish: studiować
- European Portuguese: estudar
- Romanian: a studia
- Russian: учиться
- Latin American Spanish: estudiar
- Swedish: studera
- Thai: เรียน
- Turkish: çalışmak
- Ukrainian: вивчати
- Vietnamese: học
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