schooling

IPA/ˈskuːlɪŋ/
KK[skˈulɪŋ]IPA/ˈskuːlɪŋ/

schooling — noun

1. the teaching and learning that takes place in a school, especially as part of a

1.nounB1
Definition

the teaching and learning that takes place in a school, especially as part of a young person's formal education

Example

Devika's schooling began at the local primary school when she was five.

schooling began + at [school type] — starting formal education

In many villages, children receive no formal schooling because there is no nearby school.

formal schooling

Common collocations
  • formal schooling
  • private schooling
  • secondary schooling
  • primary schooling
  • compulsory schooling
  • finish schooling
  • miss out on schooling
Synonyms
  • education

    broader term covering all learning, not limited to school

  • formal education

    emphasises the structured, institutional nature of the learning

  • instruction

    focuses on the act of teaching rather than the overall school experience

  • tuition

    usually refers to paid teaching, often private or for a specific subject

Grammar Patterns

schooling + is/was

adjective + schooling

schooling + of + person

Usage Note

Commonly modified by adjectives that specify the type (formal, private, primary, secondary) or the absence (no schooling, little schooling). Schooling is typically uncountable in this sense — use education rather than a schooling when referring to a general body of knowledge.

Common Mistakes

She received a good schooling in mathematics.
She received a good education in mathematics.
Schooling is uncountable and refers to the experience of being taught at school, not the quality or content of learning in a specific subject.

2. the process of teaching an animal, particularly a horse, to respond to commands

2.nounC1
Definition

the process of teaching an animal, particularly a horse, to respond to commands or carry out controlled movements

Example

The grey mare was sent to a trainer for schooling before the competition season.

sent + for schooling — purpose of training

Hana watched the dressage schooling session with great interest.

dressage schooling — collocation in equestrian context

Common collocations
  • schooling of a horse
  • dressage schooling
  • schooling session
  • begin schooling
  • continue schooling
Synonyms
  • training

    more general term for teaching an animal any skill or behaviour

  • dressage

    a specific discipline of horse training, not a synonym for all schooling

Grammar Patterns

schooling + of + animal

adjective + schooling + of + animal

Usage Note

Most common in equestrian and competitive animal-training contexts. The verb form to school (a horse) is used in the same specialised sense. Distinguish from sense 1 (school education): in this sense the objects are animals, and the goal is behavioural control rather than academic learning.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Education is the broadest term, covering all learning experiences throughout life — from reading at home to university lectures. Schooling refers specifically to the formal learning that happens inside a school building as part of a structured curriculum. Instruction emphasises the act of teaching rather than the overall experience; you receive instruction in a subject, but schooling implies a complete programme across many subjects. Tuition is narrower still, often referring to paid private teaching or the fee charged for it. Training focuses on practical skill development for a specific task or job, while schooling is more general and academic in nature. For instance, 'Her schooling was interrupted by the war' describes formal school attendance; 'Her training as a nurse prepared her for the job' describes preparation for a specific role.

education ↗instruction ↗tuition ↗training ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • during schooling
  • after schooling
  • throughout one's schooling

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinOld EnglishEnglish

Schooling comes from the word school, which traces back through Old English scol and Latin schola to Greek skholē, meaning 'leisure' or 'discussion'. The suffix -ing turns the verb to school into a noun that refers to the activity or process of being taught.