Etymology Map
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Scholar

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means a learned person; a student holding a scholarship

Where does the word "scholar" come from? It comes from Late Latin schola, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
schola
Late Latin · ancient
"school"
from Greek 'skholē', leisure spent in learning
2
Stage 2 of 3
escoler
Old French · medieval
"student"
medieval students were 'scholars' at cathedral schools
3
Stage 3 of 3
scholar
English · 1300s
"student"
later a learned person rather than a pupil
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Read the full story

Scholar’s story begins in Late Latin: schola meant “school.” From Greek 'skholē', leisure spent in learning. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as escoler. Medieval students were 'scholars' at cathedral schools. It reached English by 1300s as scholar. Later a learned person rather than a pupil. Today, scholar means a learned person; a student holding a scholarship.