Word
scholarly
Phoneticsschol·ar·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈskɑɫɝɫi/
UK/skˈɒləli/
Definitions
01academic work
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
adj. describing serious academic work that shows deep knowledge and careful research.
adj. relating to or characteristic of serious academic study; demonstrating rigorous research and attention to detail.
“The professor published a scholarly article about the history of the city.”
“The journal is renowned for its scholarly rigour, requiring all submissions to undergo a double-blind peer-review process before publication.”
Usage
Commonly modifies nouns like 'article', 'journal', 'work', or 'pursuit'.
Antonyms
02a studious person
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. describing a person who enjoys studying and spends a lot of time learning.
adj. characteristic of a scholar; exhibiting a devoted interest in learning and academic research.
“She was a scholarly child who preferred reading in the library to playing sports.”
“His scholarly appearance, complete with thick-rimmed glasses and a permanent stack of manuscripts, matched his reputation as a leading medievalist.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03in a learned way
C2 · Proficiency American English · Formal
adv. doing something in a way that shows great knowledge or academic skill.
adv. in a manner characteristic of a scholar or academic research.
“He spoke scholarly about the ancient ruins he had visited.”
“The author argues scholarly for a re-evaluation of the treaty, citing several previously untranslated primary sources.”
Usage
In modern usage, the adverbial form is rare; 'in a scholarly manner' is often preferred.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “scholarly” in context.
Real-World Examples
“He said: "While criticism is an inevitable part of academic life, what I have experienced has gone far beyond scholarly disagreement.” Etymology
From scholar + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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