bookish

adjective

book·​ish ˈbu̇-kish How to pronounce bookish (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to books
b
: fond of books and reading
2
a
: inclined to rely on book knowledge
b
of words : literary and formal as opposed to colloquial and informal
c
: given to literary or scholarly pursuits
also : affectedly learned
bookishly adverb
bookishness noun

Examples of bookish in a Sentence

Their teacher was a bookish fellow. “fealty” is a bookish synonym for “loyalty”
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Your teen can turn to these bookish gifts year round to get lost in their favorite novel. Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025 The comedy-drama, written by Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, follows Lorelai and her bookish daughter Rory (Bledel) in the quirky, charming small town of Stars Hollow, Conn. Anna Tingley, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025 And yet Klein, in his distinctly bookish and measured approach, sometimes recalls an Obamian voice, if the former President had been a journalist with a beard, tattoos, and a predilection for Burning Man. David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025 Jimbōchō is home to some 130 vintage book stores — Time Out highlights Isseido Booksellers and Kitazawa Bookstore as great starting points for a day of bookish exploring — as well as its coffee-shop culture and delicious curry houses. Francesca Street, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bookish

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of bookish was in 1542

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Cite this Entry

“Bookish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bookish. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

bookish

adjective
book·​ish ˈbu̇k-ish How to pronounce bookish (audio)
1
: fond of reading
2
: tending to rely on knowledge from books rather than practical experience
3
: resembling the language of books : formal
bookishly adverb
bookishness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bookish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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