academically

adverb

ac·​a·​dem·​i·​cal·​ly ˌa-kə-ˈde-mi-k(ə-)lē 

: in an academic way: such as

a

: with regard to formal studies or academics

doing well academically

academically advanced students

And it has made them more appealing to colleges, which have grown more welcoming as they find that homeschoolers do fine academically.

—Linda Perlstein

… fans and coaches at academically elite institutions would say that, yes, they were handicapped by stricter admissions policies, but in the long run, brains win out over brawn.

—Mark Bechtel

b

: in a theoretical or speculative way without practical application

That scheme for bottling beer is interesting—but only academically. Down here, we don't bottle it, but drink it.

—H. L. Mencken

c

: in a way that conforms to the tradition or rules of a school (as of literature or art)

The big problems arise with his paintings as artworks. His audacity with the brush is vitiated by academically fussy composition.

—Peter Schjeldahl

Examples of academically in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Children who completed the Nuroe training at ages 6-7 were 50% more likely to gain admission to academically rigorous secondary schools three years later. —William Jones, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025

Nearly every grade that took Colorado’s standardized tests this spring saw literacy and math test scores rebound or surpass pre-pandemic levels, a further sign that students are recovering academically five years after COVID-19 closed schools. —Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2025

Boobie’s father, Lee Feaster, said his son was only half a credit short of being a junior academically heading into his sophomore year. —Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025

The National Center for Education Statistics notes that students without consistent internet or device access are more likely to fall behind academically. —Kori Hale, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1626, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for academically

• biochemically
• epistemically
• photochemically
• chemically
• systemically