scholar

noun

schol·​ar ˈskä-lər 

1

: a person who attends a school or studies under a teacher : pupil

2

a

: a person who has done advanced study in a special field

b

: a learned person

3

: a holder of a scholarship

Synonyms

• pundit
• sage
• savant

Examples of scholar in a Sentence

She's a renowned scholar of African-American history.

scholars have long debated whether there is ever such a thing as a truly selfless act

Recent Examples on the Web

Most presidents have tried the same thing Historically, most presidents and their advisers – and indeed most scholars – have agreed that government bureaucracy is not designed in ways that promote efficiency. —Jennifer Selin, The Conversation, 24 Jan. 2025

Although a sharp debate broke out among scholars, and the courts soon got involved, the program, in its essence, survived the controversy. —Stephen L. Carter, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2025

Whether studying 16th century medical illustrations, translating Victorian women’s personal narratives about childbirth, or comparing cultural attitudes toward natural and synthetic medicines, scholars in the medical humanities are deft researchers and writers. —Christopher Rim, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

The child was a member of the Hartford Public Schools system and a scholar with the Catholic Charities Community Schools program, according to Nick Lebron, director of the program. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English scoler, from Old English scolere & Anglo-French escoler, from Medieval Latin scholaris, from Late Latin, of a school, from Latin schola school

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing scholar

• Rhodes scholar

Kids Definition

scholar

noun

schol·​ar ˈskäl-ər 

1

: a person who attends a school or studies under a teacher : pupil

2

a

: a person who has done advanced study in a special area

b

: a learned person

3

: a holder of a scholarship

scholarly adjective