scholarship
B2formal/academic
Definition
Meaning
Financial support awarded to a student for education based on academic or other achievements.
The pursuit and quality of academic knowledge; erudition or learning in a particular field.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Has two primary senses: 1) monetary award for study, 2) academic excellence or rigorous study.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning; 'bursary' is a more common synonym in British English for financial awards.
Connotations
Equally positive, associated with merit and intellectual pursuit.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects, with slight preference in British English for 'bursary' in formal educational contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
scholarship to [university]scholarship for [field of study]award a scholarship to [person]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on scholarship”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used; primarily in corporate sponsorship of education.
Academic
Very common; refers to financial aid or scholarly achievement.
Everyday
Used in discussions about education funding and academic success.
Technical
In educational administration, refers to specific award programs.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She got a scholarship to study art.
- He hopes to win a scholarship for college.
- The scholarship covers all tuition fees for the course.
- They offer scholarships to students with high grades.
- Her scholarship in Renaissance literature is highly respected by peers.
- Applying for multiple scholarships increased his chances of funding.
- The professor's scholarship on quantum mechanics has influenced numerous publications.
- Endowed scholarships ensure long-term support for disadvantaged students.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'scholar' + 'ship' – a ship that carries scholars through their educational journey.
Conceptual Metaphor
EDUCATION IS A JOURNEY, AND SCHOLARSHIP IS THE VEHICLE OR FUEL FOR THAT JOURNEY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Can mean both 'стипендия' (financial award) and 'учёность' (academic learning), leading to context confusion.
- Not interchangeable with 'грант' (grant) in all contexts, as scholarships are often for students.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'scholarship' as a verb (e.g., 'I will scholarship' – incorrect).
- Confusing with 'fellowship', which is often for advanced research.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'scholarship' in educational contexts?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a scholarship is typically a grant that does not need to be repaid, whereas a loan must be repaid with interest.
Yes, in formal contexts, it can denote the quality of academic work or the pursuit of knowledge, such as in 'her scholarship in history'.
Yes, common types include merit-based, need-based, athletic, and subject-specific scholarships.
Scholarships are usually for undergraduate or graduate students, while fellowships often support advanced research or postdoctoral work.
Collections
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Education
A2 · 50 words · School, studying and learning vocabulary.
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