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

Lawyers and scholars would pass judgment, and cross-partisan pro-democracy coalitions would need to emerge to support and legitimize the states’ contentious actions. —Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024

According to the scholar Maria Tatar, these were folktales shared among adults after hours, while the children were asleep. —Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

The American Academy of Sciences & Letters has announced the 10 recipients of this year’s Barry Prize, given to scholars at U.S. colleges and universities for distinguished intellectual achievements in the arts, sciences and learned professions. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

With new exhibitions on display every academic quarter and a handful of permanent art collections, this museum highlights the talents of SCAD scholars. —Karen Norian, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2024

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