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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jacob Russell, National Review, 6 July 2024
After an Idaho teachers union as well as individual University of Idaho professors sued Labrador and other state officials in 2023, the AG sought dismissal of the lawsuit and said academic speech would not be considered in violation of the law.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 5 July 2024
NBC News, 4 July 2024
Yet the China Initiative was highly controversial, as academics, universities, and advocacy groups accused the program of racial profiling and bias against researchers of Chinese descent.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Asia, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for academic 
Adjective
But schools shouldn’t yield to pressure to eliminate academic life for athletes entirely.
—Jacob Russell, National Review, 6 July 2024
After an Idaho teachers union as well as individual University of Idaho professors sued Labrador and other state officials in 2023, the AG sought dismissal of the lawsuit and said academic speech would not be considered in violation of the law.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 5 July 2024
Noun
The exit poll is based on a small sample of voters from more than 130 polling stations across the country, with the method engineered by academics David Firth and John Curtice, who is widely regarded as Britain's top polling expert.
—NBC News, 4 July 2024
Yet the China Initiative was highly controversial, as academics, universities, and advocacy groups accused the program of racial profiling and bias against researchers of Chinese descent.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Asia, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for academic
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.
Dictionary Entries Near academic
Cite this Entry
“Academic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/academic. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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