Scholar — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈskä-lər/ schol·ar

Meaning & Definition of Scholar

Scholar (noun)

  1. a person who attends a school or studies under a teacher, pupil
  2. a person who has done advanced study in a special field
  3. a learned person

Scholar (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person of deep wisdom or learning

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

    similar: pundit, sage, savant
    related: seer, wise man, polyhistor, polymath, Renaissance man, brain, genius, highbrow, intellect, intellectual, thinker, whiz, wizard, guru, mahatma, pandit, swami, yogi, rabbi, master, mentor, teacher
    near: blockhead, dodo, dolt, donkey, dope, dumbbell, dummy, dunce, fathead, fool, goon, half-wit, idiot, ignoramus, imbecile, jackass, know-nothing, moron, nincompoop, ninny, nitwit, numskull, pinhead, simpleton, stock, turkey

  2. a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field

    "a scholar who is a specialist in the history of ancient Greece"

    similar: ace, adept, artist, authority, cognoscente, connoisseur, crackerjack, dab (chiefly British), dab hand (chiefly British), expert, fiend, geek, guru, hand, hotshot, maestro, master, maven, meister, past master, proficient, shark, sharp, virtuoso, whiz, wizard
    related: pro, professional, consultant, hired gun, specialist, addict, aficionado, buff, devotee, enthusiast, fan, craftsman, journeyman, all-rounder (British), jack-of-all-trades, Renaissance man, mistress
    opposite: amateur, inexpert, nonexpert
    near: apprentice, beginner, neophyte, novice, dabbler, dilettante, layman, nonprofessional

  3. one who attends a school

    "a competition for promising young scholars from across the country"

    similar: pupil, student
    related: reader, studier, day student, preppy, schoolboy, schoolchild, schoolgirl, schoolfellow, schoolmate, coed, collegian, postgraduate, undergraduate, high schooler, kindergartner, middler, middle schooler, freshman, junior, senior, sophomore, underclassman, undergrad, upperclassman, exchange student

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Scholar

The most common words with a similar meaning to Scholar:

Chiefly British: dab, dab hand
pundit, sage, savant, ace, adept, artist, authority, cognoscente, connoisseur, crackerjack, expert, fiend, geek, guru, hand, hotshot, maestro, master, maven, meister, past master, proficient, shark, sharp, virtuoso, whiz, wizard, pupil, student

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Scholar

Words with the opposite meaning of Scholar:

amateur, inexpert, nonexpert

Related Words for Scholar

seer, wise man, polyhistor, polymath, Renaissance man, brain, genius, highbrow, intellect, intellectual, thinker, mahatma, pandit, swami, yogi, rabbi, mentor, teacher, pro, professional, consultant, hired gun, specialist, addict, aficionado, buff, devotee, enthusiast, fan, craftsman

Near Antonyms of Scholar

blockhead, dodo, dolt, donkey, dope, dumbbell, dummy, dunce, fathead, fool, goon, half-wit, idiot, ignoramus, imbecile, jackass, know-nothing, moron, nincompoop, ninny, nitwit, numskull, pinhead, simpleton, stock, turkey, apprentice, beginner, neophyte, novice

Origin & Etymology of Scholar

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 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Scholar

Words & Phrases Containing Scholar

Rhodes scholar

Frequently Asked Questions about Scholar

What does "Scholar" mean?

"Scholar" means a person who attends a school or studies under a teacher, pupil. As a noun, it is defined as: a person who attends a school or studies under a teacher, pupil. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Scholar"?

Other words for "Scholar" include pundit, sage, savant, ace, adept, artist, authority and cognoscente. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Scholar" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Scholar"?

There are 90 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Scholar". Common alternatives include pundit, sage, savant, ace, adept, artist, authority, cognoscente, connoisseur and crackerjack.

What is the opposite of "Scholar"?

Antonyms of "Scholar" include amateur, inexpert and nonexpert. Near antonyms include blockhead, dodo, dolt and donkey.

How do you use "Scholar" in a sentence?

Examples of "Scholar" in a sentence: "scholars have long debated whether there is ever such a thing as a truly selfless act"; "a scholar who is a specialist in the history of ancient Greece"; "a competition for promising young scholars from across the country".

Is "Scholar" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Scholar" is a noun.

Is "Scholar" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Scholar" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Scholar"?

"Scholar" is pronounced /ˈskä-lər/ and divided into syllables as schol·ar.