Vocabulary Spotlight
Academic
Part of Speech: Adjective, Noun
Definition: Relating to education, especially at an institution of higher learning; also refers to a scholar or teacher in an academic setting.
“She excelled in academic studies, particularly in the fields of science and mathematics.”
Pronunciation
[ak-uh-dem-ik]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Educational
Intellectual
Collegiate
Theoretical
Antonyms
Vocational
Experiential
Non-theoretical
Applied
Related Words
Academician (noun)
Academicism (noun)
Word Origin
“Academic” originates from the Latin “academicus,” which referred to the schools of thought of the Greek philosopher Plato. The word evolved to encompass higher learning and intellectual pursuits broadly.
Word Family
Noun: Academia – The community involved in higher learning and research.
Adjective: Academic – Pertaining to scholarly or educational environments.
Noun: Academician – A scholar or member of an academic institution.
Mnemonics
Think “A-cad-emic” – the “academy” part reminds of higher learning institutions.
Industry-specific Usage
Education
In education, academic programs refer to structured courses of study in colleges and universities.
Research
Academics in research pursue knowledge within specialized disciplines, often publishing studies in journals.
Corporate Training
Corporations often differentiate academic learning from practical, on-the-job training for employee development.
In Context
“Academic” can refer broadly to anything related to formal education, especially in colleges or universities. It is associated with theoretical knowledge and scholarship, though sometimes used to distinguish theory from practical experience.