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

Academic opportunities Ballantyne Ridge offered Smith more options academically, and a smaller grade size made those options less competitive. —Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026

After throwing himself into sports—soccer, basketball, football, track—throughout middle and high school while excelling academically, Adamolekun enrolled at Brown, graduating in 2012 with a BA in economics and political science. —Rita Omokha, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026

Kim said his father Albert also motivates him on the course and academically as a straight-A student. —Dan Albano, Oc Register, 12 June 2026

Younger students have regained ground academically after the pandemic's disruptions, while older students' test scores continue to stagnate, according to the latest testing data released by the federal government. —ABC News, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1626, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for academically

• biochemically
• epistemically
• photochemically
• chemically
• systemically