Scholar: meaning, definitions and examples

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scholar

[ˈskɒl.ər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

academic achievement

A person who has a great deal of knowledge and is an expert in a particular area, especially in the humanities or sciences.

Synonyms

academic, expert, intellectual.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scholar	Another word for someone who studies a lot. This word is often used to talk about students or people learning about something deeply. As a young scholar, he spent hours in the library Scholarships are available for scholars who show exceptional potential
intellectual	Used for someone who engages in critical thinking, research, and reflection, often with a broad focus on ideas and theory, not just specific fields. He is considered one of the leading intellectuals of our time The salon was filled with writers, artists, and intellectuals discussing philosophy
academic	Refers to someone involved in education, especially higher education, often used to describe their professional role or status. He has spent his life as an academic, teaching at various universities Many academics are publishing their research in online journals
expert	Describes someone with comprehensive and authoritative knowledge or skill in a particular area, not necessarily tied to academia. She is an expert in cybersecurity and has helped many companies improve their systems The panel included several experts in climate change

Examples of usage

She is a respected scholar in the field of literature.
The scholar published a groundbreaking research paper on climate change.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

student

A student who has received a scholarship to pursue their education.

Synonyms

bursar, grant recipient.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scholar	Used to describe someone who has a lot of knowledge in a particular subject, often because they have studied it extensively, and usually refers to an academic or intellectual. She is a renowned scholar in medieval literature. The university recognized him as a distinguished scholar for his research contributions.
grant recipient	Describes someone who has received a grant, typically for research, education, or a specific project. This term emphasizes the financial award given for a particular purpose. As a grant recipient, she is working on groundbreaking research in renewable energy. The grant recipient must submit a progress report at the end of the funding period.
bursar	Refers to a person responsible for managing the financial affairs of a school or university. This term is more about financial responsibility than academic achievement. The bursar reviewed the budget for the upcoming academic year. Students can seek assistance from the bursar's office for tuition payment plans.

Word

Description / Examples

scholar

Used to describe someone who has a lot of knowledge in a particular subject, often because they have studied it extensively, and usually refers to an academic or intellectual.

She is a renowned scholar in medieval literature.
The university recognized him as a distinguished scholar for his research contributions.

grant recipient

Describes someone who has received a grant, typically for research, education, or a specific project. This term emphasizes the financial award given for a particular purpose.

As a grant recipient, she is working on groundbreaking research in renewable energy.
The grant recipient must submit a progress report at the end of the funding period.

bursar

Refers to a person responsible for managing the financial affairs of a school or university. This term is more about financial responsibility than academic achievement.

The bursar reviewed the budget for the upcoming academic year.
Students can seek assistance from the bursar's office for tuition payment plans.

Examples of usage

The young scholar was awarded a scholarship to study abroad.
She is a scholar in the engineering program at the university.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'scholar' comes from the Latin 'scholaris' meaning 'of a school'.
It entered the English language in the 14th century, originally describing a student or pupil.
The term has historical ties to the Greek word 'scholē', meaning 'leisure' or 'free time', as early scholars engaged in study during their free hours.

Historical Context

Throughout history, many scholars played crucial roles in the development of civilization, contributing to literature, science, and philosophy.
The establishment of medieval universities in Europe during the 12th century marked a significant institution for scholars to gather and share knowledge.
Scholars were often associated with the clergy, as most education was conducted within religious institutions.

Pop Culture

In literature, characters like Gandalf from 'The Lord of the Rings' can be considered scholars due to their vast knowledge and guidance.
Movies often portray scholars as eccentric geniuses, like Dr. Emmett Brown from 'Back to the Future', who is clever but quirky.
In the video game series 'Persona', being a scholar often affects character attributes and story outcomes, highlighting the value of intelligence.

Science

Scholars in the scientific field have made significant advances, leading to discoveries that shape our understanding of the natural world.
Research published by scholars is pivotal; peer-reviewed articles are a cornerstone of scientific progress.
The term 'scholar' often refers to those who have achieved advanced degrees, for example, PhDs, showcasing their expertise in specific research areas.

Psychology

The scholarly pursuit is often linked to cognitive development and critical thinking skills, fostering better decision-making.
Studies suggest that engaging in scholarly activities can enhance creativity and innovative thinking.
The identity of being a scholar can influence one’s self-esteem and perspective on lifelong learning.

Translations

Translations of the word "scholar" in other languages:

🇵🇹 erudito

estudioso
acadêmico

🇮🇳 विद्वान

🇩🇪 Gelehrter

🇮🇩 sarjana

🇺🇦 вчений

🇵🇱 uczony

🇯🇵 学者 (がくしゃ)

🇫🇷 érudit

🇪🇸 erudito

🇹🇷 bilgin

🇰🇷 학자 (hakja)

🇸🇦 عالم

🇨🇿 učenec

🇸🇰 učenec

🇨🇳 学者 (xuézhě)

🇸🇮 učenjak

🇮🇸 fræðimaður

🇰🇿 ғалым

🇬🇪 მეცნიერი

🇦🇿 alim

🇲🇽 erudito

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,381 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
5378 shouted
5379 gotten
5380 figured
5381 scholar
5382 fled
5383 landlord
5384 nickel
...