study

I. stud‧y¹ S2 W3 /ˈstʌdi/ BrE AmE noun (plural studies)
[Word Family: noun: ↑student, ↑study, ↑studiousness; adjective: ↑studious, ↑studied; verb: ↑study; adverb: ↑studiously]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: estudie, from Latin studium 'mental effort, eagerness, study', from studere 'to be eager, try to be helpful, study']
1. RESEARCH [countable] a piece of work that is done to find out more about a particular subject or problem, and usually includes a written report:
Recent studies show that women still get paid a lot less than men.
study of/into/on
a study of Australian wild birds
The study was carried out between January and May 2008. ⇨ ↑case study
2. LEARNING [uncountable] when you spend time learning, especially at home or by yourself rather than during school:
Set aside a period of time specifically for study.
ways to improve study skills (=skills that help you study efficiently and be successful in school)
3. SUBJECT [uncountable] (also studies [plural])
a subject that people study at a college or university
study of
Linguistics is the study of language.
Environmental Studies
literary/historical/scientific etc study
the scientific study of earthquakes
4. sb’s studies the work that someone does in order to learn about a particular subject, especially the courses they take at a college or university:
How are your studies coming along?
begin/continue/stop etc your studies
I gave up my studies when I had the baby.
5. CAREFUL CONSIDERATION [uncountable] when you examine or consider something very carefully and in detail:
a report that deserves careful study
6. ROOM [countable] a room in a house that is used for work or study ⇨ office
7. ART [countable] a small detailed drawing, especially one that is done to prepare for a large painting:
Renoir’s studies of small plants and flowers
8. MUSIC [countable] a piece of music, usually for piano, that is often intended for practice
9. make a study of something to try to find out more about a subject
10. be a study in something literary to be a perfect example of something:
His face was a study in fear.
11. a quick study American English someone who learns things quickly
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ do a study/carry out a study (also conduct a study formal) The scientists are carrying out a study into the effects of global warming.
▪ a study finds something The study found that men were more likely to take risks.
▪ a study shows something Studies have shown that the drug works.
▪ a study suggests/indicates something A British study suggests that older drivers are safer drivers.
▪ a study reveals something (=shows something, especially something surprising) A recent study revealed that 74% of donuts are bought on impulse.
▪ a study confirms something (=shows that something is true) The study confirms what we all know – smoking is also bad for the people around you.
▪ a study aims to do something The study aimed to identify the housing needs of local people.
▪ publish a study The study was published in the British Medical Journal.
▪ fund a study (=pay for it) The study was funded by a major US drugs company.
▪ commission a study (=ask someone to carry out a study) The government has commissioned a study into the health of residents living near the power station.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + study
▪ a research study Research studies have found that young people are drinking no more than they were 20 years ago.
▪ a detailed study (also an in-depth study) They carried out a detailed study into the effects of the disease on mice.
▪ a two-year/three-month etc study They are engaged in a five-year study into the effects of calcium on bone health.
▪ a huge/massive study The journal published the results of a massive study of 87,000 women.
▪ a previous/earlier study The report is a summary of the work done in earlier studies.
▪ a pilot study (=one done to find out if something will be successful) The government has just completed a pilot study, with some encouraging results.
▪ a feasibility study (=one done to find out if something is possible or practical) They commissioned a feasibility study into re-opening the whole railway line.
■ phrases
▪ the aims of a study The aims of this study are to examine the reliability of current techniques.
▪ the results/findings of a study The results of this study suggest that the drug is effective in over 80% of cases. | His research confirmed the findings of earlier studies.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ research noun [uncountable] careful detailed work that is done in order to find out more about a subject, especially as a part of a scientific or academic project: Billions of dollars have been spent on research into the causes and treatment of cancer. | The University has for a long time been a leading centre for research in this field.
▪ work noun [uncountable] the studies that have been done on a particular subject: Faraday is famous for his work on electricity. | A lot of work has been done on hydrogen-powered cars. | Their work had an enormous influence on the study of genetics.
▪ study noun [countable] a piece of work in which someone examines a particular subject in order to find out more about it, and writes about what they have found: The study showed that 25 percent of adults do not eat breakfast at all, compared with 14 percent in 1961. | Recent studies suggest that our sense of smell is closely linked with the part of the brain that deals with memory.
▪ experiment noun [countable] a scientific test in order to find out what happens when you do something: They carried out a series of experiments (=they did a series of experiments) in order to try to prove their theory. | Experiments have shown that there is an increased risk of some forms of cancer.
II. study² S2 W2 BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle studied, present participle studying, third person singular studies)
[Word Family: noun: ↑student, ↑study, ↑studiousness; adjective: ↑studious, ↑studied; verb: ↑study; adverb: ↑studiously]
1. [intransitive and transitive] to learn about a subject at school, university etc:
I’ve been studying English for six years.
I can’t study with that music playing all the time.
study law/business/history etc (=study a subject at a school or university)
Anna is studying French literature.
study at a university/school etc
Stephen is currently studying at Exeter University.
study to be a doctor/lawyer etc
My brother’s studying to be an accountant.
study for an exam/diploma etc
I’ve only got three weeks left to study for my exams.
study under somebody (=be trained by a famous teacher)
a psychologist who studied under Jung in Zurich
2. [transitive] to try to find out more about a subject or problem, using scientific methods:
Goodall was studying the behavior of chimpanzees in the wild.
The scientists were studying the action of a protein called ubiquitin.
study how/what/why etc
They’re studying how stress affects body chemistry.
3. [transitive] to look at something carefully SYN look at:
She studied his face.
They got out of the car and studied the map.
I haven’t had time to study the proposals yet.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ study verb [intransitive and transitive] to learn about a subject at school, university etc: If you study hard, you’ll get a good job. | He studied law at Harvard University.
▪ take verb [transitive] to study a subject that you have chosen at school, college etc: What classes are you taking next semester? | In my final year, I decided to take English and economics.
▪ do verb [transitive] British English informal to study a particular subject at school or university: I can’t decide whether to do German or Spanish next year. | Did you do computing at school?
▪ major in something phrasal verb American English to study something as your main subject at a college or university: Diane majored in psychology at the University of Washington.
▪ revise verb [intransitive] British English to study to prepare for an examination: It’s best to start revising early. | He’s revising for his final exams.
▪ cram verb [intransitive] informal to study very hard and try to learn a lot of information just before an examination: Everyone’s cramming for their final exams.
▪ do research to study something in a very detailed way, especially in order to discover new information about it: He does research at Oxford University. | I’m doing research into second language learning. | It’s difficult to do research on humans.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

study

study [study studies studied studying] noun, verb [ˈstʌdi] [ˈstʌdi]

noun (pl. studies)

ACTIVITY OF LEARNING
1. uncountable the activity of learning or gaining knowledge, either from books or by examining things in the world
• a room set aside for private study
• academic/literary/scientific, etc. study
• It is important to develop good study skills.

• Physiology is the study of how living things work.

2. studies plural (formal) a particular person's learning activities, for example at a college or university

• to continue your studies

ACADEMIC SUBJECT

3. studies uncountable + singular or plural verb used in the names of some academic subjects

• business/media/American studies

DETAILED EXAMINATION

4. uncountable the act of considering or examining sth in detail

• These proposals deserve careful study.

5. countable a piece of research that examines a subject or question in detail
• to make/carry out/conduct a study
• This study shows/confirms/suggests that…
• a detailed study of how animals adapt to their environment
• scientific studies of fishing grounds and methods of fishing

see also case study

ROOM

6. countable a room, especially in sb's home, used for reading and writing

ART
7. countable a drawing or painting of sth, especially one done for practice or before doing a larger picture
• a study of Chartres Cathedral

• a nude study

MUSIC

8. (BrE) (also étude NAmE, BrE) countable a piece of music designed to give a player practice in technical skills

PERFECT EXAMPLE
9. singular ~ (in sth) (formal) a perfect example of sth
• His face was a study in concentration.
see in a brown study at brown _adj.
Word Origin:
Middle English: shortening of Old French estudie (noun), estudier (verb), both based on Latin studium ‘zeal, painstaking application’.
Collocations:
Scientific research
Theory
formulate/advance a theory/hypothesis
build/construct/create/develop a simple/theoretical/mathematical model
develop/establish/provide/use a theoretical/conceptual framework
advance/argue/develop the thesis that…
explore an idea/a concept/a hypothesis
make a prediction/an inference
base a prediction/your calculations on sth
investigate/evaluate/accept/challenge/reject a theory/hypothesis/model
Experiment
design an experiment/a questionnaire/a study/a test
do research/an experiment/an analysis
make observations/measurements/calculations
carry out/conduct/perform an experiment/a test/a longitudinal study/observations/clinical trials
run an experiment/a simulation/clinical trials
repeat an experiment/a test/an analysis
replicate a study/the results/the findings
observe/study/examine/investigate/assess a pattern/a process/a behaviour/(especially US) a behavior
fund/support the research/project/study
seek/provide/get/secure funding for research
Results
collect/gather/extract data/information
yield data/evidence/similar findings/the same results
analyse/examine the data/soil samples/a specimen
consider/compare/interpret the results/findings
fit the data/model
confirm/support/verify a prediction/a hypothesis/the results/the findings
prove a conjecture/hypothesis/theorem
draw/make/reach the same conclusions
read/review the records/literature
describe/report an experiment/a study
present/publish/summarize the results/findings
present/publish/read/review/cite a paper in a scientific journal
Example Bank:
• A new study shows that fewer students are studying science.
• A preliminary study suggested that the product would be popular.
• A study group meets every Sunday at the church.
• An independent study was commissioned by the department.
• He has made a special study of the way that birds communicate with one another.
• He lectures in management studies.
• In a recent study, 40% of schools were found to be understaffed.
• Many undertake further studies after college.
• Many undertake further studies after passing their A levels.
• Now that her children are all at school, she's going to take up full-time study again.
• Princeton's African American studies department
• Research studies carried out in Italy confirmed the theory.
• Shakespeare is the subject of a new study by Anthony Bryan.
• She devoted herself to a serious study of the Koran.
• She returned to her studies when her children reached school age.
• She's doing women's studies at Liverpool University.
• Students do a foundation year before specializing in their chosen field of study.
• The company allows its staff to take paid study leave.
• The company undertook an extensive feasibility study before adopting the new system.
• The course integrates academic study and practical training.
• The first part of the course is designed to develop students' study skills.
• The present study reveals an unacceptable level of air pollution in the city centre.
• The study aims to examine bias in television news coverage.
• The study compares the incidence of bone cancer in men and women.
• The study group was selected from a broad cross section of the population.
• The study highlighted three problem areas.
• The study provided valuable insight into the development of the disease.
• The ten-year study covered 13 000 people aged 15-25.
• This grammar book is suitable both for classroom use and for independent study.
• This phenomenon has been observed in both laboratory and field studies.
• This phenomenon has been observed in field studies.
• When he has completed his studies, he'll travel around the world.
• a close study of energy prices
• a comparative study of the environmental costs of different energy sources
• a definitive study on medieval weapons
• a detailed case study of nine companies
• a longitudinal study of children in low-income families
• a study based on a sample of male white-collar workers
• a study commissioned by the World Bank
• a study into the viability of the mine
• full-time study for an MA
• the biochemical process under study
• the university's cultural studies course
• A comparative study was carried out into the environmental costs of different energy sources.
• A detailed study of the area was carried out.
• He needed more leisure to pursue his studies.
• I returned to full-time study once my kids were all at school.
• It's important to develop good study skills.
• She crossed the hallway and opened the door to her private study.
• Students in the same field of study may have very different skill levels.
• The scientific study of American dialects began in 1889.

• There's a quiet room set aside for private study.

verb (stud·ies, study·ing, stud·ied, stud·ied)
LEARN
1. transitive, intransitive ~ (for sth) to spend time learning about a subject by reading, going to college, etc
• ~ (sth) How long have you been studying English?
• Don't disturb Jane, she's studying for her exams.
• ~ (sth) at… My brother studied at the Royal College of Art.
• ~ (sth) under… a composer who studied under Nadia Boulanger (= was taught by Nadia Boulanger)

• ~ to do/be sth Nina is studying to be an architect.

EXAMINE CAREFULLY

2. transitive ~ sth to watch, or look at sb/sth carefully in order to find out sth
• Scientists are studying photographs of the planet for signs of life.
• He studied her face thoughtfully.

• Fran was studying the menu.

3. transitive to examine sth carefully in order to understand it
• ~ sth We will study the report carefully before making a decision.
• ~ how, what, etc… The group will study how the region coped with the loss of thousands of jobs.

Word Origin:
Middle English: shortening of Old French estudie (noun), estudier (verb), both based on Latin studium ‘zeal, painstaking application’.
Collocations:
Education
Learning
acquire/get/lack (an) education/training/(BrE) (some) qualifications
receive/provide sb with training/tuition
develop/design/plan a curriculum/(especially BrE) course/(NAmE) program/syllabus
give/go to/attend a class/lesson/lecture/seminar
hold/run/conduct a class/seminar/workshop
sign up for/take a course/classes/lessons
School
go to/start preschool/kindergarten/nursery school
be in the first, second, etc. (NAmE) grade/(especially BrE) year (at school)
study/take/drop history/chemistry/German, etc.
(BrE) leave/finish/drop out of/ (NAmE) quit school
(NAmE) graduate high school/college
Problems at school
be the victim/target of bullying
(BrE) play truant from/ (both BrE, informal) bunk off/skive off school (= not go to school when you should)
(both especially NAmE) skip/cut class/school
(BrE) cheat in/(NAmE) cheat on an exam/a test
get/be given a detention (for doing sth)
be expelled from/be suspended from school
Work and exams
do your homework/(BrE) revision/a project on sth
work on/write/do/submit an essay/a dissertation/a thesis/an assignment/(NAmE) a paper
finish/complete your dissertation/thesis/studies/coursework
hand in/ (NAmE) turn in your homework/essay/assignment/paper
study/prepare/ (BrE) revise/ (NAmE) review/ (NAmE, informal) cram for a test/an exam
take/ (both BrE) do/sit a test/an exam
(especially BrE) mark/ (especially NAmE) grade homework/a test
(BrE) do well in/ (NAmE) do well on/ (informal, especially NAmE) ace a test/an exam
pass/fail/ (informal, especially NAmE) flunk a test/an exam/a class/a course/a subject
University
apply to/get into/go to/start college/(BrE) university
leave/graduate from law school/college/(BrE) university (with a degree in computer science)
study for/take/ (BrE) do/complete a law degree/a degree in physics
(both NAmE) major/minor in biology/philosophy
earn/receive/be awarded/get/have/hold a master's degree/a bachelor's degree/a PhD in economics
Synonyms:
examine
analyse • review • study • discuss
These words all mean to think about, study or describe sb/sth carefully, especially in order to understand them, form an opinion of them or make a decision about them.
examine • to think about, study or describe an idea, subject or piece of work very carefully: ▪ These ideas will be examined in more detail in Chapter 10.
analyse/analyze • to examine the nature or structure of sth, especially by separating it into its parts, in order to understand or explain it: ▪ The job involves gathering and analysing data. ◊ ▪ He tried to analyse his feelings.
review • to examine sth again, especially so that you can decide if it is necessary to make changes: ▪ The government will review the situation later in the year.
study • to examine sb/sth in order to understand them or it: ▪ We will study the report carefully before making a decision.
examine or study?
You examine sth in order to understand it or to help other people understand it, for example by describing it in a book; you study sth in order to understand it yourself.
discuss • to write or talk about sth in detail, showing the different ideas and opinions about it: ▪ This topic will be discussed at greater length in the next chapter.
to examine/analyse/review/study/discuss what/how/whether…
to examine/analyse/review/study/discuss the situation/evidence
to examine/analyse/review/study/discuss sth carefully/critically/systematically/briefly
Example Bank:
• He studied her thoughtfully, then smiled.
• He studied under Professor Sager.
• In the third year a number of areas are studied in detail.
• She is studying hard for her A levels.
• She picked up the letter and studied it carefully.
• The influence of heredity is best studied in genetically identical twins.
• This area has not been well studied.
• to study at college
• As a young composer he studied under Nadia Boulanger.
• Did you ever study any sciences?
• He sat up very late that night, studying.
• I had a place to study engineering at Leeds.
• I have two tests tomorrow, and I've barely had time to study.
• I was up late studying for my biology final.
• Michael studied at Sussex University.
• She's studying hard at the moment.
• She's studying to be an architect.

• There's nowhere for the students to study quietly.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

study

study (EXAMINE) /ˈstʌd.i/
verb [T]
to examine something very carefully:
I want time to study this contract thoroughly before signing it.
[+ question word] Researchers have been studying how people under stress make decisions.

study /ˈstʌd.i/
noun [C]
1 when someone examines a subject in detail in order to discover new information:
a five-year study of the relationship between wildlife and farming
Some studies have suggested a link between certain types of artificial sweetener and cancer.

2 a drawing which an artist makes in order to test ideas before starting a painting of the same subject

studied /ˈstʌd.id/
adjective
very carefully and intentionally done, made or considered, rather than in a completely honest or sincere way:
After a pause, he gave a studied answer.
She listened to his remarks with studied indifference.

studious /ˈstjuː.di.əs/ US /ˈstuː-/
adjective [before noun]
The report was obviously prepared with studious (= very great) care and attention.

studiously /ˈstjuː.di.ə.sli/ US /ˈstuː-/
adverb
They studiously avoided/ignored each other.

studiousness /ˈstjuː.di.ə.snəs/ US /ˈstuː-/
noun [U]

study (LEARN) /ˈstʌd.i/
verb [I or T]
to learn about a subject, especially in an educational course or by reading books:
to study biology/chemistry
Next term we shall study plants and how they grow.
She's been studying for her doctorate for three years already.

study /ˈstʌd.i/
noun
1 [U] when you learn about a subject, usually at school or university:
the study of English literature

2 [C] a room, especially in a house, used for quiet work such as reading or writing

studies /ˈstʌd.iz/
plural noun
1 studying or work involving studying:
Adam doesn't spend enough time on his studies.

2 used in the names of some educational subjects and courses:
the department of business/media studies

studious /ˈstjuː.di.əs/ US /ˈstuː-/
adjective
describes someone who enjoys studying or spends a lot of time studying:
She was a studious child, happiest when reading.

studiously /ˈstjuː.di.ə.sli/ US /ˈstuː-/
adverb

studiousness /ˈstjuː.di.ə.snəs/ US /ˈstuː-/
noun [U]

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

study

/stʌdi/
(studies, studying, studied)

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.

1.
If you study, you spend time learning about a particular subject or subjects.
...a relaxed and happy atmosphere that will allow you to study to your full potential...
He went to Hull University, where he studied History and Economics...
The rehearsals make it difficult for her to study for law school exams.
VERB: V, V n, V for n

2.
Study is the activity of studying.
...the use of maps and visual evidence in the study of local history...
She gave up her studies to have Alexander.
N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl

3.
A study of a subject is a piece of research on it.
Recent studies suggest that as many as 5 in 1000 new mothers are likely to have this problem.
N-COUNT: usu with supp

4.
You can refer to educational subjects or courses that contain several elements as studies of a particular kind.
...a new centre for Islamic studies...
She is currently doing a business studies course at Leeds.
N-PLURAL: supp N

5.
If you study something, you look at it or watch it very carefully, in order to find something out.
Debbie studied her friend’s face for a moment.
VERB: V n

6.
If you study something, you consider it or observe it carefully in order to be able to understand it fully.
I know that you’ve been studying chimpanzees for thirty years now...
I invite every citizen to carefully study the document.
VERB: V n, V n

7.
A study by an artist is a drawing which is done in preparation for a larger picture.
N-COUNT

8.
A study is a room in a house which is used for reading, writing, and studying.
N-COUNT

9.
see also studied, case study

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

study

²study verb studies; stud·ied; study·ing
1 : to read, memorize facts, attend school, etc., in order to learn about a subject

[no obj]

• She studied hard.
• Did you study for the test?
• She's studying to be a teacher.

[+ obj]

• He is studying music.
2 [+ obj]
a : to give careful attention to (something)
• I studied the request carefully.
• She was studying his face for a reaction.
• The proposal was studied in great detail.
b : to conduct an organized experiment in order to learn more about (something)
• The effects of the drug have never been thoroughly studied.