ac·a·dem·ic
ˌa-kə-ˈde-mik 
variants
or less commonly academical
1
a
: of, relating to, or associated with an academy or school especially of higher learning
the academic curriculum
academic courses
b
: of or relating to performance in courses of study
academic excellence
academic achievements
c
: very learned but inexperienced in practical matters
academic thinkers
d
: based on formal study especially at an institution of higher learning
her academic qualifications
2
: of or relating to literary or artistic rather than technical or professional studies
a region that has both academic and vocational high schools
3
a
: theoretical, speculative
a purely academic question
b
: having no practical or useful significance
4
: conforming to the traditions or rules of a school (as of literature or art) or an official academy : conventional
academic painting
1
a
: a member (such as a professor) of an institution of learning (such as a university)
Both of her parents are academics.
b
: a person who is academic in background, outlook, or methods
2
academics plural, chiefly US
: academic subjects : courses of study taken at a school or college
He has no interest in academics.
Synonyms
Examples of academic in a Sentence
Adjective
She received awards for her academic achievements.
I spent my academic career at one school.
The board set tough academic standards for graduation.
He was offered a teaching job and decided to return to academic life.
His interest in sailing is purely academic. He's not a sailor himself.
He's not very academic, but he's good with his hands.
Noun
The book appeals to academics and to the general public.
He only cares about sports. He has no interest in academics.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Brett Martin, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2023
Should popular opinion and market forces shape the path of an academic institution?
—Oliver Whang, The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2023
More college courses dedicated to Taylor Swift have been added to the academic canon for 2024, including a class at one of the most famous universities in the world: Harvard.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Nov. 2023
They were ordered off campus Nov. 26, 2023 On pay, USC academic workers receive stipends at different minimum levels depending on the school they are employed by.
—Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2023
To this day, alumni speak fondly of Uncle Bobby and his wise academic decency.
—WSJ, 27 Nov. 2023
In Arkansas, the Every Student Succeeds Act index score has taken into account the results from the ACT Aspire tests given last spring in grades three through 10 in math, literacy and science as well as the academic growth students made from the previous year.
—Cynthia Howell, arkansasonline.com, 26 Nov. 2023
His parents demanded academic perfection, and Paras was gifted enough to easily deliver.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 14 Nov. 2023
But academic research indicates gifts which come in the form of experiences—like trips, picnics, or special outings—often make people happier than material items.
—Mallika Mitra, wsj.com, 14 Nov. 2023
Catherine Wang, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2023
Some academics cringed at his departure from traditional approaches.
—Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2023
As hostility toward minorities rises, Kabir’s work highlights the subcontinent’s rich history of religious coexistence, and many academics, artists, and activists are using his words to express pride in India’s multicultural community.
—Kalpana Jain, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Nov. 2023
Grace Wales Bonner’s approach to fashion can sometimes feel more like that of an academic rather than a designer.
—Elizabeth Paton, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023
For years, their political opponents, often anthropologists and academics from Puno and Lima universities, challenged the ethnic legitimacy and origin of the Uros people, claiming the present-day islanders are related to the ancient Urus in name only.
—Tim Brinkhof, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2023
Among them were Patrisse Cullors, a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, and Marc Lamont Hill, a left-wing academic and commentator.
—Jason L. Riley, WSJ, 7 Nov. 2023
Niche factors responses to user surveys into its ratings for schools’ academics, environment, teachers, clubs and more.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2023
The decades-old organization represents top business leaders, academics, and former government officials in pursuit of a core mission: fostering closer ties and mutual understanding between Beijing and Washington — often by giving a platform to Chinese leaders, including Xi Jinping.
—Jimmy Quinn, National Review, 10 Nov. 2023
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Adjective
The pipeline from pop-culture transgression to academic enshrinement has been wide open at least since the 1990s, when Madonna studies made news.
—Brett Martin, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2023
Should popular opinion and market forces shape the path of an academic institution?
—Oliver Whang, The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2023
More college courses dedicated to Taylor Swift have been added to the academic canon for 2024, including a class at one of the most famous universities in the world: Harvard.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Nov. 2023
They were ordered off campus Nov. 26, 2023 On pay, USC academic workers receive stipends at different minimum levels depending on the school they are employed by.
—Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2023
To this day, alumni speak fondly of Uncle Bobby and his wise academic decency.
—WSJ, 27 Nov. 2023
In Arkansas, the Every Student Succeeds Act index score has taken into account the results from the ACT Aspire tests given last spring in grades three through 10 in math, literacy and science as well as the academic growth students made from the previous year.
—Cynthia Howell, arkansasonline.com, 26 Nov. 2023
His parents demanded academic perfection, and Paras was gifted enough to easily deliver.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 14 Nov. 2023
But academic research indicates gifts which come in the form of experiences—like trips, picnics, or special outings—often make people happier than material items.
—Mallika Mitra, wsj.com, 14 Nov. 2023
Noun
Scientific regulations on breeding insects are not well-established, with some academics questioning the ethics of such breeding when there is no scientific consensus on whether insects can feel pain.
—Catherine Wang, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2023
Some academics cringed at his departure from traditional approaches.
—Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2023
As hostility toward minorities rises, Kabir’s work highlights the subcontinent’s rich history of religious coexistence, and many academics, artists, and activists are using his words to express pride in India’s multicultural community.
—Kalpana Jain, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Nov. 2023
Grace Wales Bonner’s approach to fashion can sometimes feel more like that of an academic rather than a designer.
—Elizabeth Paton, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023
For years, their political opponents, often anthropologists and academics from Puno and Lima universities, challenged the ethnic legitimacy and origin of the Uros people, claiming the present-day islanders are related to the ancient Urus in name only.
—Tim Brinkhof, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2023
Among them were Patrisse Cullors, a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, and Marc Lamont Hill, a left-wing academic and commentator.
—Jason L. Riley, WSJ, 7 Nov. 2023
Niche factors responses to user surveys into its ratings for schools’ academics, environment, teachers, clubs and more.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2023
The decades-old organization represents top business leaders, academics, and former government officials in pursuit of a core mission: fostering closer ties and mutual understanding between Beijing and Washington — often by giving a platform to Chinese leaders, including Xi Jinping.
—Jimmy Quinn, National Review, 10 Nov. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'academic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French achademique, academique, borrowed from Latin Acadēmicus "of the school of Plato," borrowed from Greek Akadēmeikós, Akadēmaikós, from Akadḗmeia, a place where Plato taught + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at academy
Noun
borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French academique, borrowed from Latin Acadēmicus, noun derivative of Acadēmicus, adjective — more at academic entry 1
Phrases Containing academic
Dictionary Entries Near academic
Cite this Entry
“Academic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/academic. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
academic
adjective
ac·a·dem·ic
ˌak-ə-ˈdem-ik
1
: of or relating to school or college
2
: literary or general rather than technical
took the academic course
3
: having no practical importance : theoretical
an academic question
academically
adverb
-ˈdem-i-k(ə-)lē
More from Merriam-Webster on academic
Nglish: Translation of academic for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of academic for Arabic Speakers
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