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
Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Miller said there not only needs to be a focus on core academic programs but the integration of other programs like STEM, art and vocational training, commonly known as Career Technical Education.
—Hanna Kang, Orange County Register, 6 Nov. 2024
Makena Kelly, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
Instead, there were reports on indigenous fares written by Western academics and travel articles by writers who got upset stomachs from street food.
—Alexis Okeowo, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for academic 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
And that’s not an accident, according to academic researchers, doctors, politicians, community leaders, and dozens of other people KFF Health News interviewed.
—Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Miller said there not only needs to be a focus on core academic programs but the integration of other programs like STEM, art and vocational training, commonly known as Career Technical Education.
—Hanna Kang, Orange County Register, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
Jim Jordan was elevated to chair of the powerful House Judiciary Committee and immediately launched investigations stifling the work of academics at best and launching harassment campaigns against entire moderation teams at worst.
—Makena Kelly, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
Instead, there were reports on indigenous fares written by Western academics and travel articles by writers who got upset stomachs from street food.
—Alexis Okeowo, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for academic
Dictionary Entries Near academic
Cite this Entry
“Academic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/academic. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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