scholar

noun

schol·​ar ˈskä-lər How to pronounce scholar (audio)
Synonyms of scholar
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 of scholar

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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
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This includes — but is not limited to — professors, scholars, research assistants, students, teachers, au pairs and camp counselors. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Frances’s death came in the midst of this research and these professional milestones, the sort that scholars would add to their CVs. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026 In 2025, two scholars of religion decided to make a multiday pilgrimage along the Kumano Kodō trail – an ancient route in Japan connecting Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples – guided by an artificial intelligence assistant. — Shay Rabineau, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026 The mikveh is evidence that a Second Temple-period Jewish settlement, previously unknown to scholars, once existed in the area, according to officials. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scholar

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of scholar was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing scholar

Rhymes for scholar

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Browse Nearby Words

schola cantorum
scholar
scholarch
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Cite this Entry

“Scholar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scholar. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

scholar

noun
schol·​ar ˈskäl-ər How to pronounce scholar (audio)
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
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