scholarship

noun

schol·​ar·​ship ˈskä-lər-ˌship 

1

: a grant-in-aid to a student (as by a college or foundation)

2

: the character, qualities, activity, or attainments of a scholar : learning

3

: a fund of knowledge and learning

drawing on the scholarship of the ancients

Synonyms

• education
• erudition
• knowledge
• learnedness
• learning
• literacy

Choose the Right Synonym for scholarship

knowledge, learning, erudition, scholarship mean what is or can be known by an individual or by humankind.

knowledge applies to facts or ideas acquired by study, investigation, observation, or experience.

rich in the knowledge of human nature

learning applies to knowledge acquired especially through formal, often advanced, schooling.

a book that demonstrates vast learning

erudition strongly implies the acquiring of profound, recondite, or bookish learning.

an erudition unusual even in a scholar

scholarship implies the possession of learning characteristic of the advanced scholar in a specialized field of study or investigation.

a work of first-rate literary scholarship

Examples of scholarship in a Sentence

She got a scholarship to Yale University.

The organization is offering five $5,000 scholarships.

The essay is a work of serious scholarship.

The book is about his life and scholarship.

Recent Examples on the Web

The family has since created a nonprofit in their daughter’s name, the Lucy Fernandez Foundation, dedicated to boating safety and providing scholarships to Our Lady of Lourdes Academy. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025

Proceeds will benefit scholarships to students at the University of Florida studying for agriculture, conservation environmental or ecological degrees. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2025

Marion landed a scholarship to the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, where his ascent continued. —Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025

The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation is now accepting applications for all 2025 scholarships until April 10. —Thania Garcia, Variety, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing scholarship

• football scholarship
• full scholarship

Kids Definition

scholarship

noun

schol·​ar·​ship ˈskäl-ər-ˌship 

1

: money given (as by a college) to a student to help pay for further education

2

: the character, qualities, or achievements of a scholar