Study On

In Southern and Appalachian speech, study on means to give something steady, deliberate attention over time, either by thinking it through or by keeping close watch without looking away.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #DialectandGrammar #Southern

synonyms: think on, consider, keep an eye on, watch closely

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Study on' is one of those deep country ones - but it's common.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Study on' is one of those deep country ones - but it's common.

Pronunciation

[STUHD-ee on]
/ˈstʌdi ɑn/

Meaning & Usage

- To think carefully before deciding (verbal phrase)

Mabel:

You reckon you wanna go in on that?

Harlan:

I don’t know yet. I need to study on it a while.

- To keep steady watch without looking away (verbal phrase)

Estel:

You think that rock moved on its own?

Elmer:

I don’t know. I studied on it a good five minutes. Don’t know what I seen.

★ Study on always implies time - if it was quick, folks wouldn’t say it that way. ★

Origin and Etymology

The verb "study" historically carried broader meanings in English, including "to consider carefully" and "to observe attentively." While modern general American English narrowed the verb toward academic learning, Southern and Appalachian speech preserved these older senses and paired them with the preposition "on." The construction came to signal sustained mental or visual attention rather than formal study or research.

Usage Notes

"Study on" is used in Southern and Appalachian speech to describe deliberate attention held over time, whether directed toward a decision or toward something being closely watched. In the observational sense, it implies keeping one’s eyes fixed on something without looking away. The phrase does not refer to academic study and is informal and conversational.

Commonly followed by pronouns or noun phrases ("study on it," "study on that," "study on that rock")
Implies duration and steadiness rather than quick thought or a glance
The preposition on marks the regional construction; outside the region it is usually omitted

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does "study on" mean academic study or research?

No. It refers to sustained attention or careful thought, not formal learning.

Can it mean watching something, not just thinking?

Yes. It is commonly used to mean keeping steady watch without looking away.

Is this phrase still used today?

Yes. It remains common in Southern and Appalachian spoken English.

Is "study on" formal English?

No. It is an informal, regional expression.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, December 18). Study On. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/study-on
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Study On." HillbillySlang.com, 18 Dec. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/study-on.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Study On." HillbillySlang.com. December 18, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/study-on.