Englisch

bookish

gb/bˈʊkɪʃ/ us/bˈʊkɪʃ/
B2 Englisch
Bedeutungen
0 Bedeutungen
adjective B2 property
1

fond of reading and studying

Someone who is bookish likes reading and studying.

Verwendungsmuster: [someone] is bookish
Häufiger Fehler:
Don’t use bookish to mean “reserved a ticket/room” (that is the verb book).
Synonyme
studious (Emphasizes working hard at study, not necessarily love of books.) | scholarly (Suggests serious academic learning and expertise.) | well-read (Focuses on having read many books.)
Antonyme
unbookish (Not interested in reading or study.) | unacademic (Not connected with study or academic interests.)
Wortverbindungen
a bookish child |a bookish teenager |a bookish person |a bookish type |quiet and bookish |shy and bookish |smart but bookish |a bookish upbringing |a bookish hobby |bookish interests
Themen
education |reading |personality
Beispiele
  • He was a quiet, bookish kid who spent weekends at the library.
  • She’s bookish but also very social once you get to know her.
  • They bonded over their bookish interests and long conversations about history.
Beispiele für Lernende
  • My sister is bookish and loves novels.
  • He is bookish, so he studies a lot.
adjective C1 property
2

like academic or literary writing

If language is bookish, it sounds like a book, not like normal speech.

Verwendungsmuster: bookish [language/style/tone/vocabulary]
Häufiger Fehler:
Bookish does not simply mean “polite”; it often means “too formal or literary.”
Synonyme
literary (Often positive; suggests the style of literature.) | academic (Linked to schools and scholarly writing; can sound technical.) | formal (More general; not always specifically connected to books.)
Antonyme
colloquial (Uses everyday spoken language.) | conversational (Sounds natural in speech.)
Wortverbindungen
bookish language |a bookish style |a bookish tone |bookish vocabulary |bookish prose |bookish expressions |bookish phrasing |bookish writing |a slightly bookish manner |bookish references
Themen
language |writing |education
Beispiele
  • His emails are clear but a little bookish for a casual workplace.
  • The translation feels bookish, with long sentences you wouldn’t say out loud.
  • Try to avoid bookish vocabulary in the dialogue so the characters sound real.
Beispiele für Lernende
  • This essay sounds bookish and very formal.
adjective C1 property
3

too theoretical, not practical

If an idea is bookish, it may sound smart but not useful in real life.

Verwendungsmuster: bookish [idea/approach/advice/knowledge]
Häufiger Fehler:
This meaning is often mildly critical; it suggests a gap between theory and reality.
Synonyme
theoretical (Neutral; focuses on ideas rather than practice.) | ivory-tower (More critical; suggests being disconnected from real life.)
Antonyme
practical (Focused on what works in real situations.) | hands-on (Based on direct experience and doing.)
Wortverbindungen
a bookish approach |bookish advice |bookish knowledge |bookish ideas |bookish theories |bookish solutions |a bookish answer |too bookish |somewhat bookish |a bookish perspective
Themen
education |work |thinking
Beispiele
  • His understanding of management was bookish, but he struggled with real people problems.
  • The plan looked good on paper, but it was too bookish for a fast-moving startup.
  • She wanted more hands-on training, not just bookish theory.
Beispiele für Lernende
  • The advice was bookish and not practical.
adjective B2 property
4

having a scholarly-looking appearance

If someone looks bookish, they look like a serious reader or student.

Verwendungsmuster: a bookish [look/appearance]
Häufiger Fehler:
This is about appearance or impression, not about actually reading.
Synonyme
scholarly-looking (More explicit and descriptive; often neutral or positive.) | nerdy (Informal; can be affectionate or insulting depending on context.)
Antonyme
sporty-looking (Gives an athletic, outdoorsy impression.)
Wortverbindungen
a bookish look |a bookish appearance |a bookish face |bookish glasses |a bookish air |bookish charm |a neat, bookish style |slightly bookish |very bookish |bookish mannerisms
Themen
appearance |personality
Beispiele
  • With his round glasses and tidy hair, he had a bookish look.
  • She has a bookish appearance, but she’s actually a competitive boxer.
  • The actor played the role with a bookish air and careful, precise speech.
Beispiele für Lernende
  • He has a bookish look with glasses.
Grammatik
Grundform
bookish
IPA
GB/bˈʊkɪʃ/
US/bˈʊkɪʃ/
Silben & Betonung
book - ish (2 Silben)
Stress on 1st syllable (book)
Wortformen
Adjective
  • Base: bookish
  • Comparative: bookisher
  • Superlative: bookishest
Wortfamilie
Forms
bookisher adjective bookishest adjective
Core family
book noun A1
Related words
booklet noun B1 bookworm noun bookstore noun A2
Advanced or less common
bookishly adverb bookishness noun
Ausdrücke

Für diesen Eintrag gibt es noch keine verknüpften Ausdrücke.

Willkommen zurück!

Bitte melde dich an, um fortzufahren.

Noch kein Konto? Registrieren