academic

/ˌækəˈdɛmɪk/

Looking for the meaning of academic? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.

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noun
01

(usually capitalized) A follower of Plato, a Platonist.

02

A senior member of an academy, college, or university; a person who attends an academy; a person engaged in scholarly pursuits; one who is academic in practice.

03

A member of the Academy; an academician.

04

A student in a college.

05

Academic dress; academicals.

06

Academic studies.

adjective
01

Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato

the academic sect or philosophy

02

Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning; also a scholarly society or organization.

03

Theoretical or speculative; abstract; scholarly, literary or classical, in distinction to practical or vocational

I have always had an academic interest in hacking.

04

Having little practical use or value, as by being overly detailed, unengaging, or theoretical: having no practical importance.

05

Having a love of or aptitude for learning.

I'm more academic than athletic — I get lower marks in phys. ed. than in anything else.

06

Conforming to set rules and traditions; conventional; formalistic.

07

So scholarly as to be unaware of the outside world; lacking in worldliness.

08

Subscribing to the architectural standards of Vitruvius.

09

Study of humanities topics rather than science and engineering.

Understanding "academic"

The word **"academic"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/ˌækəˈdɛmɪk/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"academic"** in our dictionary below.

The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "academic" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "academic" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.

For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "academic" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /ˌækəˈdɛmɪk/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "academic" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.

When deciding how to use "academic" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "academic" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.

Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "academic". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/ˌækəˈdɛmɪk/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "academic" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.

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How do I use academic in a sentence?

Refer to the usage examples above to see how "academic" can be used in academic and casual conversations.