study

present singular third person studies · participle present studying · participle past studied · past studied · first person past singular studied · archaic present second person singular studiest · past second person singular studied · present singular third person studies · archaic present singular third person studieth · past singular third person studied · past plural studied · past subjunctive studied · participle present studying · participle past studied

1. intransitiveliterarytransitiveusuallyTo review materials already learned in order to make sure one does not forget them, usually in preparation for an examination.

   I need to study my biology notes.

   1 more example

   Students are expected to start studying for final exams in March.

2. literarytransitiveTo take a course or courses on a subject.

   I study medicine at the university.

3. transitiveTo acquire knowledge on a subject with the intention of applying it in practice.

   Biologists study living things.

   1 more example

   In 2015, scientists found that 82 percent of glaciers studied in China had decreased in size.

4. transitiveTo look at carefully and minutely.

   He studied the map in preparation for the hike.

5. transitiveTo fix the mind closely upon a subject; to dwell upon anything in thought; to muse; to ponder.

   July 10, 1732, Jonathan Swift, letter to Mr. Gay and The Duchess of Queensberry I found a moral first, and studied for a fable.

   1 more example

   There is no occasion to study attire so long as one is suitably clothed for the warm days of September.

   1920, A.S. Horwood, The Sphere:An Illustrated Newspaper for the Home, page 62

6. archaicintransitiveTo endeavor diligently; to be zealous.

   And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you […]

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Thessalonians 4:11

plural studies

1. countableuncountableMental effort to acquire knowledge or learning.

   The study of languages is fascinating.

   3 more examples

   During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant;[…].

   1661, Fell, John, The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. Hammond, page 334

   Study gives strength to the mind; conversation, grace: the first apt to give stiffness, the other suppleness: one gives substance and form to the statue, the other polishes it.

   1699, Temple, William, Heads designed for an essay on conversations

   He draws eclectically on studies of baboons, descriptive anthropological accounts of hunter-gatherer societies and, in a few cases, the fossil record.

   2012 March-April, John T. Jost, “Social Justice: Is It in Our Nature (and Our Future)?”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 162

2. countableuncountableThe act of studying or examining; examination.

   I made a careful study of his sister.

   1 more example

   Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis:[…]. The evolutionary precursor of photosynthesis is still under debate, and a new study sheds light. The critical component of the photosynthetic system is the “water-oxidizing complex”, made up of manganese atoms and a calcium atom.

   2013 September-October, Katie L. Burke, “In the News”, in American Scientist

3. countableuncountableAny particular branch of learning that is studied; any object of attentive consideration.

   The proper study of mankind is man.

   1733, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Man. […], epistle II, London: […] J[ohn] Wilford, […], →OCLC

   1 more example

   The Holy Scriptures, especially the New Testament, are her daily study.

   1762, Law, Edmund, An extract from: A serious call to a devout and holy life

4. countableuncountableA room in a house intended for reading and writing; traditionally the private room of the male head of household.

   Father spends all his time in the study poring over manuscripts.

   2 more examples

   his cheery little study

   1850, Nathaniel Hawthorne, “Introductory”, in The Scarlet Letter, a Romance, Boston, Mass.: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields, →OCLC

   I was asked round once for dinner, and my tongue was hanging out at the sheer scale of it – complete with three bathrooms, two studies, and a sauna.

   2025 August 14, Anniki Sommerville, “I’m sick of my rich friends pretending that they’re struggling”, in The i Paper

   Synonyms: home office, cabinet, closet

5. countableuncountableAn artwork made in order to practise or demonstrate a subject or technique.

   a study of heads or of hands for a figure picture

6. countableuncountableThe human face, bearing an expression which the observer finds amusingly typical of a particular emotion or state of mind.

   Geoffrey's face was a study.

   1 more example

   Geoffrey's face was a study in amazement [or in bewilderment, irritation, distress etc.]

7. countableuncountableentertainmentA piece for special practice; an etude.
8. countableliteraryuncountableAn academic publication.

   That new study on noncommutative symmetries looks promising.

9. countableuncountableOne who commits a theatrical part to memory.
10. countableuncountableboard gamesAn endgame problem composed for artistic merit, where one side is to play for a win or for a draw.
11. countableobsoleteuncountableA state of mental perplexity or worried thought.

    When they had stood for a while without speech, gazing over the sea, Gro spake and said, “Consider how as day now dieth in yonder chambers of the west, so hath the glory departed from Witchland.” ¶ But the Red Foliot answered him not, being in a study.

    1922, E[ric] R[ücker] Eddison, The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance, London: Jonathan Cape […], →OCLC, page 36

    1 more example

    wel said the kynge thow mayst take myn hors by force but and I myȝte preue the whether thow were better on horsbak or I / wel said the knyght seke me here whan thow wolt and here nygh this wel thow shalt fynde me / and soo passyd on his weye / thenne the kyng sat in a study and bad his men fetche his hors as faste as euer they myghte

    Well, said the king, thou mayst take my horse by force, but an I might prove thee whether thou were better on horseback or I. Well, said the knight, seek me here when thou wilt, and here nigh this well thou shalt find me, and so passed on his way. Then the king sat in a study, and bade his men fetch his horse as fast as ever they might.

    1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter XX, in Le Morte Darthur, book I

12. archaiccountableuncountableThought, as directed to a specific purpose; one's concern.

    My study was to avoid disturbing her.

    1 more example

    Just men they seemd, and all thir study bent / To worship God aright, and know his works.

    1667, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC