studying

studying — verb

1. to spend time reading, attending classes, or doing research in order to gain kno

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveA1
Definition

to spend time reading, attending classes, or doing research in order to gain knowledge about a particular subject — whether for a school course, a university degree, or personal interest.

Example

Yan is studying electrical engineering at a university in Tainan.

studying + field at + institution

Every evening, Hugo studies Chinese characters for at least half an hour.

Common collocations
  • study hard
  • study for an exam
  • study under a professor
  • study abroad
  • study full-time / part-time
Synonyms
  • learn

    focuses on the result of gaining knowledge, whereas studying emphasises the process

  • revise

    British English, specifically means going over material again before an exam

  • cram

    informal; to study intensively in a short period right before a test

Antonyms
  • teach

    opposite role — giving knowledge rather than gaining it

  • neglect

    to fail to give enough attention to one's studies

Grammar Patterns

study + subject/field

study for + exam/test

study + language

study at + institution

Common Mistakes

I study English since three years.
I have studied English for three years.
use 'for' with a duration of time, not 'since'.
I am studying in the university.
I am studying at the university.
'at' is the correct preposition for an institution, not 'in'.

2. to look at or think about something with very close attention, trying to underst

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to look at or think about something with very close attention, trying to understand its features or discover important details — for example, studying a map before a journey, or studying someone's expression to read their feelings.

Example

The detective studied the crime scene for any clue about what had happened.

studied + scene/place for + clues/information

Ignacio studied the contract for nearly an hour before signing it with the supplier.

Common collocations
  • study carefully
  • study closely
  • study in detail
  • study intently
  • study the evidence
Synonyms
  • examine

    more neutral and broader; can include physical or medical inspection

  • scrutinize

    more intense and often implies looking for flaws or hidden details

  • analyse

    focuses on breaking something down into parts to understand it

Antonyms
  • ignore

    to deliberately pay no attention to something

  • glance at

    to look at something very briefly without close attention

Grammar Patterns

study + noun (document, map, face, data, image)

study + noun + for + information

Usage Note

The object is typically something concrete that can be looked at closely — a document, a map, a person's face, data, or a scene. It emphasises deliberate visual or mental attention, not a medical or scientific examination.

Common Mistakes

The doctor studied the patient for a fever.
The doctor checked the patient for a fever.
medical examinations use 'check' or 'examine', not 'study'.
Please study this email when you have time.
Please read this email when you have time.
'study' implies very careful, prolonged attention, not casual reading.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Study and learn both involve gaining knowledge, but study emphasises the deliberate process — sitting down with books or materials — while learn focuses on the outcome of acquiring a skill or information. Revise (common in British English) means going over material again before an exam, which is a specific type of studying. Review is similar but more common in American English and can mean looking over notes casually rather than intensively. Cram is an informal word for studying intensely in a very short period, usually the night before a test, often with the implication that the knowledge will not last. For example: 'I studied French for two years' describes the process, whereas 'I learned to speak French' focuses on the result. 'I need to revise chapter five before the exam' (UK) versus 'I need to review chapter five' (US). 'She crammed all night for the final' suggests last-minute pressure and surface-level memorisation.

learn ↗revise ↗review ↗cram

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • study abroad
  • study group
  • study session
  • study habits

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Comes from Latin 'studium', meaning eagerness, application, or devotion to learning. This passed into Old French as 'estudier', then into Middle English as 'studien'. The sense of 'careful examination' developed naturally from the original idea of applying oneself zealously to a task.