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
Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
According to the academic calendar, final exams are will last through Friday, with grades due Monday.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 12 Dec. 2024
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
Ellis and Finn soon found a group of academics at VU University in Amsterdam, led by Melvyn Roerdink, who were working on something similar.
—Grace Browne, WIRED, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for academic 
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Adjective
The Los Angeles Unified School District reported 11 incidents of nitrous oxide possession during the 2023-24 academic school year.
—Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
According to the academic calendar, final exams are will last through Friday, with grades due Monday.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
Few beyond academics now are likely to recall the huge cultural impact the book had a quarter-millennium ago.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
Ellis and Finn soon found a group of academics at VU University in Amsterdam, led by Melvyn Roerdink, who were working on something similar.
—Grace Browne, WIRED, 10 Dec. 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 21 Dec. 2024.
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