academic

adjective ac·a·dem·ic \ ˌa-kə-ˈde-mik \

variants: or less commonly academical play \ˌa-kə-ˈde-mi-kəl\

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of academic

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

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academically

play \ˌa-kə-ˈde-mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

- an academically gifted student

See academic defined for English-language learners

See academic defined for kids

Examples of academic in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of academic from the Web

And this topic — false memories for political events — hasn’t been directly followed up in the academic literature (though a 2010 paper did find similar results).

— brian resnick, Vox, "Fake media is coming for our memories," 20 Apr. 2018
But other students arrived at the protest without permission slips, under threat of demerit, and fearful of academic repercussions.

— sarah maslin nir, New York Times, "19 Years After Columbine, Students Again Say ‘Enough’ on Gun Violence," 20 Apr. 2018
In addition to her academic writing, Karen offers a list of services to businesses and high-profile individuals looking to keep their image in check.

— sarah spellings, The Cut, "Everybody Wants to Know What a Fashion Psychologist Thinks," 20 Apr. 2018
Despite the limits, a handful of determined professors have stepped up, without textbooks or well-trod academic territory, and created courses to try to ensure that the next generation is prepared to match the public's interest.

— jen christensen, CNN, "Universities meet growing demand with Weed 101," 20 Apr. 2018
KentuckyOne and the university now operate under a multi-million dollar academic affiliation agreement that would need to be renegotiated with any new owner.

— grace schneider, The Courier-Journal, "Interim U of L president Postel gets $100K bonus and $950K job as health affairs chief," 19 Apr. 2018
My other teachers offered me unspoken allowances for my unimpressive academic performance during the second half of my senior year.

— nicole piasecki, Longreads, "Maybe We Can Make a Circle," 19 Apr. 2018
Because of its academic success the Jefferson School Board recently awarded the charter a 10-year operating license.

— littice bacon-blood, NOLA.com, "Kenner charter school's support arm exempt from state bid law, AG opines," 6 Apr. 2018
Partida said beyond the pressure students feel, the status of valedictorian isn't a true depiction of the academic success of a student.

— linda girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, "West Aurora asked to change valedictorian system due to 'unhealthy pressure' on students," 3 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'academic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of academic

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 ¹-ic — more at academy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1581

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

academic Synonyms

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

academic

noun

Definition of academic

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.