scholarship

noun

schol·​ar·​ship ˈskä-lər-ˌship 

1

: a grant-in-aid to a student (as by a college or foundation)

2

: the character, qualities, activity, or attainments of a scholar : learning

3

: a fund of knowledge and learning

drawing on the scholarship of the ancients

Synonyms

• education
• erudition
• knowledge
• learnedness
• learning
• literacy

Choose the Right Synonym for scholarship

knowledge, learning, erudition, scholarship mean what is or can be known by an individual or by humankind.

knowledge applies to facts or ideas acquired by study, investigation, observation, or experience.

rich in the knowledge of human nature

learning applies to knowledge acquired especially through formal, often advanced, schooling.

a book that demonstrates vast learning

erudition strongly implies the acquiring of profound, recondite, or bookish learning.

an erudition unusual even in a scholar

scholarship implies the possession of learning characteristic of the advanced scholar in a specialized field of study or investigation.

a work of first-rate literary scholarship

Examples of scholarship in a Sentence

She got a scholarship to Yale University.

The organization is offering five $5,000 scholarships.

The essay is a work of serious scholarship.

The book is about his life and scholarship.

Recent Examples on the Web

As depicted in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, José, attending Southern Illinois University on a swimming scholarship, met blond beauty queen Mary Louise Andersen, a lively communications major two years his senior who everyone called Kitty. —Roy Trakin, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2025

Elgin Area Chamber offering eight college scholarships The Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce and its economic development program, Elgin Development Group, are offering eight $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors pursuing further education. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025

With donations still coming in to support the scholarship, both Anna and Link are hoping more residents take advantage of the scholarship and are able to participate in the Parks & Recreation programming. —Graham P. Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

For years, Ramadan had personally funded an annual $500 scholarship at the school for a student who showed a passion for civil rights and activism. —Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing scholarship

• football scholarship
• full scholarship

Kids Definition

scholarship

noun

schol·​ar·​ship ˈskäl-ər-ˌship 

1

: money given (as by a college) to a student to help pay for further education

2

: the character, qualities, or achievements of a scholar