academic

1 of 2

adjective

ac·​a·​dem·​ic ˌa-kə-ˈde-mik How to pronounce academic (audio)
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

academic

2 of 2

noun

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.

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
And academic research from the University of Pittsburgh has found that the traditional office setting is no better for promoting productivity than someone’s kitchen table. Aoibhinn Mc Bride | This Column Was Created By Jobbio, The Hill, 29 Nov. 2024 Children’s Services Program: This program improves the lives of children with tools and resources to support their academic and emotional wellbeing. Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Nov. 2024
Noun
An online petition for his release has collected over 700 signatures from journalists, academics and NGO workers. Reuters, CNN, 28 Nov. 2024 Challenges For Social Enterprises In interviews with current social entrepreneurs, academics, and social enterprise consultants, a number of common themes emerged as challenges uniquely encountered by social enterprises. Melissa A. Wheeler, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for academic 

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

First Known Use

Adjective

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of academic was in 1581

Dictionary Entries Near academic

Cite this Entry

“Academic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/academic. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

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
-ˈdem-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

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