Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act or process of learning about a subject, especially by reading and thinking: "Study" refers to the activity of applying one's mind to gain knowledge or understanding of a topic.
   • A detailed investigation and analysis of a subject or situation: "Study" can mean a piece of research on a particular topic, often resulting in a written report.
   • A room in a house used for reading, writing, and academic work: "Study" is a room designated for quiet work or learning.
   • A state of deep thought or contemplation: "Study" describes a condition of being absorbed in one's thoughts.
   • A preliminary drawing, sketch, or piece of music made for practice or exploration: In arts, a "study" is a work created to develop skill or examine a subject in detail.
   • A person who learns something, such as lines for a play, quickly and easily: Informally, a "study" can refer to such a person (e.g., a quick study).

2. Verb:

   • To apply one's mind to learning about a subject, typically by reading: The primary meaning is to devote time and attention to acquiring knowledge.
   • To investigate or analyze something carefully and in detail: "Study" means to examine something closely to understand its nature or principles.
   • To be a student at an educational institution; to take a course: "Study" means to engage in learning at a school or university.
   • To think deeply about something; to contemplate: "Study" can mean to consider or ponder something attentively.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She spends three hours every evening in quiet study. (She spends three hours every evening learning quietly.)
  • The university published a new study on climate change. (The university published a new research report on climate change.)
  • He retreated to his study to work on the manuscript. (He went to his workroom to work on the manuscript.)
  • She was in a deep study and didn't hear the doorbell. (She was lost in deep thought and didn't hear the doorbell.)
  • The artist filled a sketchbook with studies of human hands. (The artist filled a sketchbook with practice drawings of human hands.)

• Verb:

  • You need to study harder for your final exams. (You need to learn more diligently for your final exams.)
  • Scientists are studying the effects of the new drug. (Scientists are carefully researching the effects of the new drug.)
  • He is studying engineering at the local college. (He is taking an engineering course at the local college.)
  • I will study your proposal and give you my answer tomorrow. (I will consider your proposal carefully and give you my answer tomorrow.)

Advanced Usage

• "To make a study of something": to research or investigate something thoroughly.

  • He made a detailed study of medieval architecture. (He conducted thorough research on medieval architecture.)

• "In a brown study": in a state of deep absorption in thought; daydreaming.

  • She was in a brown study all afternoon, staring out the window. (She was lost in thought all afternoon, staring out the window.)

Variants and Related Words

• Studious (adj): spending a lot of time studying; diligent.

  • He is a studious and conscientious student. (He is a diligent and careful student.)

• Studied (adj): deliberate and carefully considered, often implying artificiality.

  • Her apology seemed studied and insincere. (Her apology seemed carefully rehearsed and insincere.)

Synonyms

• Research (n/v): systematic investigation to establish facts.
• Learn (v): gain knowledge or skill.
• Examine (v): inspect closely.
• Contemplate (v): think deeply about.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Study up (on something): to learn as much as you can about a subject, usually for a specific purpose.

  • I need to study up on the company's history before the interview. (I need to learn about the company's history before the interview.)

• Study under someone: to be taught by a particular teacher, especially a famous one.

  • She had the privilege of studying under a Nobel laureate. (She had the privilege of being taught by a Nobel Prize winner.)

Related Idioms

• Hit the books: to begin studying seriously. (Note: This idiom uses "books," not the target word "study" directly, but is a common synonym for the action of studying.)
  • The exams are next week; it's time to hit the books. (The exams are next week; it's time to study seriously.)

Noun

1. a composition intended to develop one aspect of the performer's technique
   • a study in spiccato bowing
2. someone who memorizes quickly and easily (as the lines for a part in a play)
   • he is a quick study
3. attentive consideration and meditation
   • after much cogitation he rejected the offer
4. preliminary drawing for later elaboration
   • he made several studies before starting to paint
5. a branch of knowledge
   • in what discipline is his doctorate?
   • teachers should be well trained in their subject
   • anthropology is the study of human beings
6. a room used for reading and writing and studying
   • he knocked lightly on the closed door of the study
7. a state of deep mental absorption
   • she is in a deep study
8. a written document describing the findings of some individual or group
   • this accords with the recent study by Hill and Dale
9. 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
10. a detailed critical inspection

Verb

1. think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes
   • He is meditating in his study
2. learn by reading books; I must hit the books now"
   • He is studying geology in his room
   • I have an exam next week
3. be a student of a certain subject
   • She is reading for the bar exam
4. give careful consideration to
   • consider the possibility of moving
5. be a student; follow a course of study; be enrolled at an institute of learning
6. 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