scholarship

scholarship — noun

1. careful and thorough academic work that produces well-supported knowledge, under

1.nounB2
Definition

careful and thorough academic work that produces well-supported knowledge, understanding, or methods in a particular field

Example

Yael's recent scholarship on climate history has earned her international recognition.

uncountable: scholarship on [topic]

The department is known for its strong tradition of careful scholarship in ancient languages.

Common collocations
  • careful scholarship
  • modern scholarship
  • recent scholarship
  • traditional scholarship
  • scholarship in [field]
  • scholarship on [topic]
Synonyms
  • research

    broader term that can include experiments and fieldwork; 'scholarship' emphasizes the careful, methodical quality of the work

  • learning

    more general — refers to personal knowledge rather than the quality of academic work

  • erudition

    formal and less common; emphasizes deep and wide knowledge rather than the process of study

Antonyms
  • ignorance

    lack of knowledge, not specific to academic context

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun describing academic work or method

scholarship + in + field of study

scholarship + on + specific topic

Usage Note

Typically uncountable — do not use with 'a' when referring to academic work or method. Frequently appears with adjectives such as 'careful', 'serious', 'modern', or 'recent'.

Common Mistakes

She has a scholarship in history' (when meaning academic study).
Her scholarship in history is widely respected.
As an uncountable noun, 'scholarship' meaning academic study does not take the article 'a'.
I am doing a scholarship on ancient art' (when meaning academic research).
I am doing research on ancient art as part of my scholarship.
Use 'research' or 'study' for the activity; 'scholarship' describes the quality or method of that work.

2. financial support paid to a student by a school or organization to cover educati

2.nounB1
Definition

financial support paid to a student by a school or organization to cover education costs, typically awarded for good results, special talent, or low family income

Example

Imran won a full scholarship to study engineering at the National University.

collocation: win a scholarship to [institution]

The scholarship covers tuition fees and provides a monthly allowance for books.

Common collocations
  • win a scholarship
  • apply for a scholarship
  • offer a scholarship
  • receive a scholarship
  • full scholarship
  • sports scholarship
  • merit scholarship
  • scholarship to [institution]
Synonyms
  • grant

    usually based on financial need rather than merit; may also fund research projects beyond tuition

  • fellowship

    typically for graduate or postdoctoral students and may include a stipend for living costs

  • bursary

    UK term, often for students who need financial help with living costs or equipment

  • award

    broader term that can include prizes or honours not limited to education funding

Antonyms
  • loan

    money that must be repaid, often with interest

Grammar Patterns

countable noun

scholarship + to + institution

verb + scholarship

Usage Note

Unlike a loan, a scholarship does not need to be repaid. It may be awarded based on academic merit, athletic ability, artistic talent, or financial need. Common verbs used with this sense include 'win', 'receive', 'apply for', 'award', and 'offer'.

Common Mistakes

I received a scholarship loan from the university.
I received a scholarship from the university.
A scholarship is free money for education, not a loan that must be paid back.
She got a scholarship for playing basketball good.
She got a sports scholarship for playing basketball well.
Use 'sports scholarship' for athletic ability, and use 'well' (adverb) not 'good' (adjective) after a verb.

Word family

  • school
    nounA2
  • scholar
    nounB1
  • scholarly
    adjectiveB2
  • scholastic
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All five words describe money given to support students, but they differ in purpose and criteria. A 'scholarship' is most commonly awarded for academic merit, athletic ability, or talent — it is competitive and does not need to be repaid. A 'grant' is usually based on financial need and can also fund research or projects beyond tuition. In the UK, a 'bursary' is a type of grant specifically for living costs or equipment, often given to students from low-income backgrounds. A 'fellowship' is typically for graduate or postdoctoral researchers and may include a stipend plus research funds. An 'award' is the broadest term — it can mean a scholarship, a prize, or an honour. For example: 'She won a scholarship to study music at a top college.' 'He received a research grant to study marine biology.' 'The university offered her a postgraduate fellowship with a living allowance.'

scholarship ↗grant ↗bursaryfellowship ↗award ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinOld EnglishEnglish

The word 'scholarship' comes from 'scholar' (from Latin 'scholaris', meaning 'of a school') plus the suffix '-ship' (indicating a state, condition, or quality). 'Scholar' itself traces back through Old English 'scolere' to Latin 'schola' (school), and ultimately to Greek 'skholē', which originally meant 'leisure' or 'spare time' — reflecting the ancient idea that learning required freedom from daily work. The meaning 'financial award for a student' first appeared in the mid-1800s.