# scholarly

/ˈskɑɫɝɫi/ (US) · /skˈɒləli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scholarly
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. academic work

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

describing serious academic work that shows deep knowledge and careful research.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. a studious person

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

describing a person who enjoys studying and spends a lot of time learning.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. in a learned way

adverb · CEFR C2 · American English · Formal

doing something in a way that shows great knowledge or academic skill.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She wrote a very scholarly article about history.
- The professor is known for his scholarly approach to ancient languages and his dedication to research.
- The library's collection includes several scholarly journals that provide deep analysis of economic trends over the last century, serving as a vital resource for doctoral candidates.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.