What does "student" mean?

1. (enrolled learner) a person who is studying at a school, college, or university. 2. (dedicated observer) someone who studies a particular subject or behavior very carefully, even if they are not in school.

How do you use "student"?

In British English, 'pupil' is often used for children in primary school, while 'student' is used for older learners. Often followed by the preposition 'of'.

student

US //ˈstudənt// UK //stjˈuːdənt// stu·dent

1 enrolled learner (n.)
A1 Beginner

a person who is studying at a school, college, or university.

a person formally enrolled in an educational programme at a school, college, or university.

Example

The university has over twenty thousand students from all over the world.

Example

As a full-time student, she was eligible for various discounts on public transport and local museum entries.

Usage

In British English, 'pupil' is often used for children in primary school, while 'student' is used for older learners.
2 dedicated observer (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

someone who studies a particular subject or behavior very carefully, even if they are not in school.

an individual who studies or observes a particular subject, person, or phenomenon with great attention and diligence.

Example

He is a lifelong student of history and spends his weekends in libraries.

Example

A keen student of human nature, the novelist spent hours in crowded cafés observing the subtle interactions between strangers.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'of'.
- observer
- scholar

Origin

From Middle English student, studient, from Old French estudiant, estudiente, from Latin studēns, present participle of studeō (“dedicate oneself to, study”). Equivalent to study + -ent.

Idioms1 entry

01
student union politics
Political actions seen as being unprofessional or childish; resembling those of the students' union.