scholar
SKO-luh
Scholar (noun) means a person with deep expert knowledge in a particular academic subject. Example: “My uncle is a leading scholar of ancient languages.”
noun
1
A person with deep expert knowledge in a particular academic subject.
"My uncle is a leading scholar of ancient languages."
"The library is full of scholars reading quietly at long tables."
"She is a respected scholar of medieval European history."
2
A student, especially one holding a scholarship.
"As a scholar at the school, she paid no fees."
"The college welcomes new scholars each autumn with a small ceremony."
"He was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford in the 1990s."
How to use scholar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone highly knowledgeable in an academic field, or a student on a scholarship.
Common pairings
leading scholar
a scholar of
Rhodes Scholar
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Word forms
- Plural
- scholars
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My uncle is a leading _____ of ancient languages.
Etymology
From Old English scōlere ("learner"), from Late Latin scholāris, from schola ("school"), ultimately from Greek skholē ("leisure, learned discussion").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for scholar
See all rhymes for scholar →Frequently asked questions
What does “scholar” mean?
The word “scholar” means a person with deep expert knowledge in a particular academic subject. In plain terms, someone highly knowledgeable in an academic field, or a student on a scholarship.
How do you pronounce “scholar”?
“Scholar” is pronounced SKO-luh (/ˈskɑlɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “scholar” in a sentence?
Here is “scholar” used in a sentence: “She is a respected scholar of medieval European history.”
What part of speech is “scholar”?
“Scholar” is a noun.
Where does the word “scholar” come from?
The word “scholar” comes from Late Latin. From Old English scōlere ("learner"), from Late Latin scholāris, from schola ("school"), ultimately from Greek skholē ("leisure, learned discussion").
Is “scholar” a common word?
“Scholar” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “scholar” have?
“Scholar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person with deep expert knowledge in a particular academic subject.
What is the difference between a scholar and a student?
A student is anyone who is learning a subject, at any level. A scholar is someone with deep, expert knowledge of a subject, though the word can also refer specifically to a student who holds a scholarship.
What is the difference between a scholar and an academic?
Both work with learning and research, but 'academic' usually implies a formal position at a university or college. 'Scholar' emphasizes deep, specialized knowledge and can apply to independent experts who hold no institutional post.
What is the difference between a scholar and an intellectual?
An intellectual engages broadly and often publicly with ideas across many topics. A scholar is defined by specialized, expert knowledge of one particular field, so the terms overlap but are not identical.
