1. A person who is learned in a particular subject: This is the most common meaning. A scholar is someone who has dedicated a significant amount of time and effort to studying a specific field, and has acquired a deep understanding of that subject.
Examples:
* A history scholar might specialize in the Roman Empire.
* A literary scholar might focus on the works of Shakespeare.
* A scientific scholar might research the properties of a specific chemical element.
2. A person who is studying at a university or college: This meaning is often used in informal contexts. It can refer to anyone who is enrolled in a higher education program, regardless of their field of study.
3. A recipient of a scholarship: A scholarship is a financial award given to help someone pay for their education. In this context, "scholar" refers to the person who receives the scholarship.
4. A learned person in general: This meaning is less common than the first two, but can be used to describe someone who is highly knowledgeable and well-read in general.
In addition to the above, "scholar" can also be used as a noun:
* Scholarly work: This refers to research and writing that is rigorous, well-researched, and based on a deep understanding of the subject.
* Scholarly journal: A publication that publishes scholarly work.
It's important to note that the specific meaning of "scholar" will depend on the context in which it is used. If you are unsure, it's always a good idea to consider the surrounding text to determine the intended meaning.