study
/ˈstʌd.i/ IELTSAcademic
noun
The activity of learning about a subject, usually by reading, thinking, or practice. It can also mean a school or college course of learning.
- Her study of history took two years.
- I need more study before the exam.
- He is serious about his studies.
verb
To spend time learning about something carefully. It can also mean to look at something closely and think about it.
- I study English every evening.
- She studied the map before leaving.
- The doctor studied the report carefully.
Adinary Nuance
Study is broader than learn. You study a subject when you spend time on it, but you learn the subject when you gain the knowledge. It is also more general than revise, which usually means reviewing for an exam, and more formal than just “read up on.”
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- học
- Spanish
- estudiar
- Chinese
- 学习
- Japanese
- 勉強する
- Korean
- 공부하다
Etymology
From Old French estudie, based on Latin studium, meaning “care,” “zeal,” or “eagerness.” The word has been used in English since the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
study harda study ofstudy timestudy skills
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is study a noun or a verb?
- It is both. As a noun, it means learning or a piece of research. As a verb, it means to learn carefully.
- What is the difference between study and learn?
- Study is the action. Learn is the result. You study to learn something.
- Can I say study for an exam?
- Yes. This is very common. Example: “I studied for my exam last night.”
- Is study common in academic English?
- Yes. It is very common in school, college, and research writing.