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

Prouse's priority was to avoid any child feeling labeled or purposely assigned to a table that wasn't as academically strong. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025

But it’s proved to be especially problematic at a time when the typical student body is growing academically weaker. —Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025

Kindergarten has also undergone changes in recent years, becoming more academically focused, and students are now expected to meet more substantial learning standards. —Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 26 Sep. 2025

The district is facing the possibility of state takeover after one of its campuses, the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade Center, received five consecutive academically unacceptable ratings. —Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1626, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for academically

• biochemically
• epistemically
• photochemically
• chemically
• systemically