study

2 syllables · also studied

Quick answer

As a verb, study means review materials already learned in order to make sure one does not forget them, usually in preparation for an examination. As a noun, it means mental effort to acquire knowledge or learning.

Meanings of study

30 meanings

verb

usually academicTo review materials already learned in order to make sure one does not forget them, usually in preparation for an examination.
“Students are expected to start studying for final exams in March.”
“I need to study my biology notes.”
academicTo take a course or courses on a subject.
“I study medicine at the university.”
To acquire knowledge on a subject with the intention of applying it in practice.
“Biologists study living things.”
“In 2015, scientists found that 82 percent of glaciers studied in China had decreased in size.”
To look at minutely.
“He studied the map in preparation for the hike.”
To fix the mind closely upon a subject; to dwell upon anything in thought; to muse; to ponder.
To endeavor diligently; to be zealous.
Consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
“analyze a sonnet by Shakespeare”
“analyze the evidence in a criminal trial”
“analyze your real motives”
Similar: analyze, analyse, examine, canvass
Be a student; follow a course of study; be enrolled at an institute of learning
Give careful consideration to
“consider the possibility of moving”
Similar: consider
Be a student of a certain subject
“She is reading for the bar exam”
Similar: learn, read, take
Learn by reading books
“He is studying geology in his room”
“I have an exam next week: I must hit the books now”
Similar: hit the books
Think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes
“He is meditating in his study”
Similar: meditate, contemplate

noun

Mental effort to acquire knowledge or learning.
“The study of languages is fascinating.”
The act of studying or examining; examination.
“I made a careful study of his sister.”
Any particular branch of learning that is studied; any object of attentive consideration.
A 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.”
An artwork made in order to practise or demonstrate a subject or technique.
“a study of heads or of hands for a figure picture”
The 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.”
“Geoffrey's face was a study in amazement [or in bewilderment, irritation, distress etc.]”
musicA piece for special practice; an étude.
academicAn academic publication.
“That new study on noncommutative symmetries looks promising.”
One who commits a theatrical part to memory.
chessAn endgame problem composed for artistic merit, where one side is to play for a win or for a draw.
A detailed critical inspection
Similar: survey
Applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading)
“mastering a second language requires a lot of work”
“no schools offer graduate study in interior design”
Similar: work
A written document describing the findings of some individual or group
“this accords with the recent study by Hill and Dale”
Similar: report, written report
Preliminary drawing for later elaboration
“he made several studies before starting to paint”
Similar: sketch

Older and rare meanings (2)

obsoleteA state of mental perplexity or worried thought.
archaicThought, as directed to a specific purpose; one's concern.
“My study was to avoid disturbing her.”

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).