In modern usage, the term "bookish" may refer not only to a preference for reading but also to a certain personality type. Many who are labeled as bookish may be introverted, thoughtful, or inclined towards academic interests. The rise of online book communities and the increasing popularity of reading as a hobby have brought a renewed appreciation for bookishness, with people taking pride in their literary interests and intellectual pursuits.
No exact match translations found for 'Bookish' in oriya.
Word 'Bookish' in Other Languages
- Bookish in Assamese অসমীয়া
- Bookish in Bengali বাংলা
- Bookish in Bodo बड़ो
- Bookish in Dogri डोगरी
- Bookish in English
- Bookish in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
- Bookish in Hindi हिन्दी
- Bookish in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
- Bookish in Kashmiri कॉशुर
- Bookish in Konkani कोंकणी
- Bookish in Maithili মৈথিলী
- Bookish in Malayalam മലയാളം
- Bookish in Manipuri মৈতৈলোন্
- Bookish in Marathi मराठी
- Bookish in Nepali नेपाली
- Bookish in Oriya ଓଡ଼ିଆ
- Bookish in Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- Bookish in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
- Bookish in Santali
- Bookish in Sindhi سنڌي
- Bookish in Tamil தமிழ்
- Bookish in Telugu తెలుగు
- Bookish in Urdu اُردُو
Bookish
Part of Speech
Adjective
Pronunciation
/ˈbʊkɪʃ/
Definitions
- Adjective: Characterized by or related to books or reading; fond of or inclined to reading, especially to an excessive degree.
- Adjective: (informal) Having qualities associated with intellectual or literary pursuits, sometimes perceived as excessively studious or lacking in social grace.
Usage Examples
- "She was a bookish child who spent hours in the library."
- "His bookish demeanor made him an excellent scholar, but he lacked social skills."
- "He preferred quiet, bookish activities over social gatherings."
Etymology
The term "bookish" dates back to the early 19th century, deriving from the word "book," which has its origins in Old English "boc," meaning a written work. The suffix "-ish" is used to form adjectives that describe something that has characteristics of the root word, in this case, "book." The term evolved to describe people or behaviors associated with reading or intellectual pursuits.
Synonyms
- Literary
- Studious
- Intellectual
- Academic
- Book-loving
Antonyms
- Uneducated
- Ignorant
- Nonchalant
- Uninvolved
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Estudioso | /esˈtuðjoso/ |
| French | Littéraire | /litɛʁɛʁ/ |
| German | Bibliophil | /ˈbɪbli̯oˌfɪl/ |
| Hindi | पुस्तक प्रेमी | /pustak premī/ |
| Chinese | 书呆子 | /shū dāi zi/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- US: /ˈbʊkɪʃ/
- UK: /ˈbʊkɪʃ/
- India: /ˈbʊkɪʃ/ (similar to US and UK)
Historical Usage
The term "bookish" emerged as a descriptor for people who were overly absorbed in reading or intellectual pursuits. Initially, it had a neutral or even positive connotation, referring to someone knowledgeable. Over time, however, the term began to carry a more negative implication, suggesting someone who was socially awkward or disconnected from real-world experiences due to their excessive focus on books.
Cultural Nuances
The word "bookish" can carry different cultural connotations depending on context. In some cultures, being bookish is highly valued and seen as an admirable trait, especially in academic or intellectual circles. In others, it may carry a stereotype of someone who is socially isolated or overly concerned with scholarly matters at the expense of practical or social skills.