stud

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A small piece of metal, plastic, or jewelry fixed to a surface as decoration, protection, or a fastening point.

   Grammar: Countable with a plural studs; often used for earrings, jackets, boots, or walls.

   Patterns

   • diamond stud
   • earring stud
   • studded with studs

   She wore a tiny diamond stud in each ear.

   The leather jacket had a steel stud on the collar.

   Loose turf was held down by a plastic stud.

2. 2nouncountabletechnical

   A vertical piece of wood or metal forming part of the frame inside a wall.

   Grammar: Countable in building work: a stud wall, the studs behind drywall.

   Patterns

   • wall stud
   • metal stud
   • stud wall

   The carpenter nailed the shelf bracket to a wall stud.

   A metal stud frame keeps the partition light.

   He drilled between two studs to avoid pipes.

3. 3nouncountabletechnical

   A male animal, especially a horse, kept for breeding rather than for work or racing.

   Grammar: Countable in animal breeding: a prize stud, at stud.

   Patterns

   • racehorse stud
   • at stud
   • stud farm

   The retired racehorse stood at stud for several seasons.

   A good stud can influence the quality of many foals.

   The farm keeps one stallion as a stud.

4. 4nouncountableinformalapproving

   A man considered very attractive, especially in a confident physical way.

   Grammar: Informal and approving; countable but often used with an or the.

   Patterns

   • a real stud
   • think someone is a stud

   In the movie he plays a charming stud with perfect timing.

   Her friends jokingly called him a stud after the marathon.

   He laughed when the magazine called him a campus stud.

Word forms

Common combinations

diamond stud earrings

She chose diamond stud earrings for the interview.

wall stud

Screw the cabinet into a wall stud for safety.

stand at stud

The champion stallion will stand at stud next spring.

Synonyms and how they differ

earring post

Earring post names only the small backing piece, while stud can be any small fixed knob.

stallion

Stallion means any adult male horse; stud specifically means one kept for breeding.

Word family

studded adjective

Decorated with studs, such as a studded belt.

stud farm noun

A place where breeding animals, especially horses, are kept.

Commonly confused: stud or studious?

Practice

Make it your own

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