Quick Definition
Study (verb) — to learn about a subject by reading, attending lessons, or practising. Study (noun) — the activity of learning; also a room in a home used for reading and academic work.
What Does Study Mean?
Study comes from the Latin studium, meaning "application" or "zeal", which in turn derives from studere, meaning "to be eager" or "to devote oneself to something". The word entered Middle English as studie in the 14th century via Old French estudie.
The same Latin root gives us the word student — literally "one who is eager" — and is also related to studio, a workspace devoted to creative effort. The shared idea across all these descendants is deliberate, focused engagement with a task.
In modern British English, study functions both as a common everyday verb ("I need to study for my exam") and as a noun with three distinct senses: the general activity of learning, a formal piece of academic research (a study), and the dedicated room in a house. Understanding all three uses is essential for reading academic texts and professional writing.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & usage note |
|---|---|
| She studies at the university in the evenings. | A2 — present simple; verb + at + place |
| I need to study harder if I want to pass the exam. | B1 — study hard; infinitive of purpose |
| He spent the whole weekend studying for his biology test. | B1 — study for an exam; duration expression |
| The government commissioned a study into the effects of social media on young people. | B2 — noun sense: formal research report |
| The philosopher retired to his study and did not emerge until dawn. | C1 — noun sense: room for reading and work |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| study hard | You will need to study hard to get into medical school. |
| study for an exam | She stayed up late studying for her French exam. |
| study abroad | He decided to study abroad for a year in Spain. |
| carry out a study | Researchers carried out a study involving 500 participants. |
| conduct a study | The team conducted a study on sleep deprivation. |
| case study | The textbook included a useful case study of a local business. |
| field of study | Her field of study is environmental science. |
| independent study | Students are expected to complete ten hours of independent study each week. |
| study skills | The college offers a workshop on study skills for new students. |
| pilot study | Before the main trial, they ran a small pilot study. |
Usage Notes
Key Points for Learners
- Verb + subject directly: Use study followed by the subject without a preposition — "study biology", not "study for biology". Reserve study for for exams and tests, where the exam is the goal rather than the topic: "study for the IELTS", "study for a test".
- Study vs revise: In British English, revise means to go over material already learned, usually shortly before an exam. Study is the broader activity of learning, and can cover encountering material for the first time. American English uses review instead of revise.
- Study vs learn: You study to learn. Study describes the deliberate process; learn describes the outcome — gaining knowledge or a skill. "I studied the chapter" (process) vs "I learnt the vocabulary" (result).
- Countable and uncountable noun: When study means the activity of learning, it is uncountable: "a period of intensive study". When it means a piece of research, it is countable: "a new study", "several studies". When it means the room, it is countable: "the study upstairs".
- Formal register: In academic and professional writing, study is preferred over look at or check out. Phrases such as "this study examines", "the study found", and "further studies are needed" are standard in reports and research papers.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
I am studying for English every night.
I am studying English every night. (no preposition before the subject)
She made a study of the problem by herself alone.
She studied the problem independently. (avoid redundant phrasing; use the verb directly)
He learnt all night for the exam.
He studied all night for the exam. (use study for the deliberate process; learn for the outcome)
Related Words
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Frequently Asked Questions about “study”
What does study mean in English?
As a verb, study means to learn about a subject through reading, research, or attending lessons: 'She studies biology at university.' As a noun, study means the activity of learning ('hours of study') or a room in a home used for reading and work ('He read in the study'). Both senses are common in everyday British English.
What is the difference between study and learn?
Study describes the deliberate process of reading, reviewing, and practising material: 'I studied for three hours.' Learn describes the outcome — the moment knowledge or a skill is acquired: 'I learnt the new vocabulary.' You study in order to learn; learning is the result of studying.
How do you use study as a noun?
Study has three main noun meanings. First, it refers to the activity of learning: 'She devoted her evenings to study.' Second, it can mean a piece of academic research: 'A new study shows that sleep improves memory.' Third, it means a quiet room for reading and working: 'He keeps his books in the study.'
What are common collocations with study?
Common collocations include: study hard, study abroad, carry out a study, conduct a study, independent study, case study, feasibility study, field of study, study skills, and pilot study. Using natural collocations makes your English sound more fluent and professional.
What is the plural of the noun study?
The plural is studies: 'Several studies confirm this finding.' When study means the activity of learning (uncountable sense), it has no plural: 'a period of intensive study'. When it refers to individual research reports or the room, it becomes countable and takes an -ies plural.
What are the main forms of the verb study?
The verb conjugates as: study (base form), studies (third person singular present), studied (past simple and past participle), studying (present participle). Example: 'She studies every evening, studied all weekend, and has been studying for months.'
What is the difference between study and revise?
In British English, revise specifically means to go over material you have already studied, usually in preparation for an exam: 'I revised my notes the night before the test.' Study is broader and covers learning something for the first time as well as reviewing it. In American English, the word review is used where British speakers say revise.
Can study be used with a direct object?
Yes. Study is regularly transitive: 'She is studying French,' 'He studied the report carefully.' It can also be intransitive: 'I need to study tonight.' When followed by a noun subject, no preposition is needed — say 'study medicine', not 'study for medicine'. However, 'study for an exam' is correct because the exam is the goal, not the subject.
What is the origin of the word study?
Study comes from the Latin studium, meaning 'application, zeal, eagerness'. This passed through Old French estudie before entering Middle English as studie in the 14th century. The Latin root studere (to be eager, to devote oneself) also gives us the word student.
How can I practise using study in English?
Use LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise study in context, or the Flash Cards tool to test all its forms and collocations. Writing short paragraphs about your own study habits is also an excellent way to internalise the word and its common phrases naturally.