bookish

/ˈbʊkɪʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbʊkɪʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbu̇-kish/ (ame, mw)

bookish — adjective

  • bookishpositive
  • more bookishcomparative
  • most bookishsuperlative

1. describes someone whose character and habits show a strong preference for readin

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes someone whose character and habits show a strong preference for reading and study over physical or social activities, often with a focus on serious or academic material.

例句

The bookish librarian, Mei-Lin, spent every lunch break reading Japanese poetry.

pattern: the + bookish + noun describing a person

Haruki was so bookish that he chose a history book over a trip to the beach with friends.

contrast: bookish vs. active/social preference

同義詞
  • studious

    more positive and focused on diligent academic effort; less likely to carry a teasing connotation

  • scholarly

    suggests deep knowledge and serious intellectual pursuit at a more advanced level than bookish

  • intellectual

    broader — describes someone oriented toward ideas across many domains, not just reading

反義詞
  • outdoorsy

    describes someone who prefers outdoor physical activities over indoor reading

  • practical

    describes someone who prefers hands-on doing over theoretical study

文法句型

be + bookish

seem + bookish

look + bookish

用法筆記

Frequently used to highlight a contrast between intellectual interests and more active or social pursuits. The tone can range from admiring (a dedicated scholar) to mildly teasing (someone who prefers books to people or adventure).

常見錯誤

❌He is very bookish and plays football every weekend.
✅He is very sporty and plays football every weekend.
💡bookish implies a preference for reading over physical activity, so pairing it with an active hobby creates a contradiction.