academic
gb/ˌækədˈɛmɪk/ us/ˌækədˈɛmɪk/
B1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
relating to education or study
About school, college, or study work.
Usage pattern:
[something] is academic
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'academic' with 'practical'; 'academic' refers to education and study, not hands-on skills.
Synonyms
educational (More general; can refer to anything that educates, not only scholarly contexts.)
Antonyms
nonacademic (Not connected with education or scholarly study.)
Collocations
academic achievement
|academic year
|academic research
|academic institution
|academic subject
Themes
education
|learning
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She has an impressive academic background in physics.
- The university offers many academic programs for international students.
- His academic performance improved after he started tutoring.
- The award recognizes outstanding academic achievement.
- Academic standards vary between institutions.
Learner examples
- My academic work is very hard this year.
- He has an academic job at the university.
- This school has high academic goals.
- She won a prize for her academic success.
Noun
B2
entity
2
person in higher education
A person who teaches or studies at a university or college.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'academic' (person) with 'student'; an academic is usually a teacher or researcher, not just anyone studying.
Synonyms
scholar (Often implies high achievement or recognition in research.)
Antonyms
practitioner (Someone who works in a practical field rather than in research or teaching.)
Collocations
respected academic
|leading academic
|career academic
Themes
education
|professions
|work
Examples
- The conference brought together academics from around the world.
- She is a leading academic in the field of linguistics.
- Many academics publish their research in peer-reviewed journals.
- He left his job as an academic to work in industry.
Learner examples
- He is an academic at the local university.
- Many academics write books about their work.
- She became an academic after many years of study.
adjective
B2
property
3
theoretical and not practical
Only about ideas, not useful in real life.
Usage pattern:
[something] is academic
Common mistake:
Learners may misunderstand 'academic' here as always positive; in this sense it can imply irrelevance.
Synonyms
theoretical (Focuses on ideas rather than application; often neutral tone.)
Antonyms
practical (Concerned with doing and real-world use, opposite of theoretical.)
Collocations
purely academic
|an academic question
Themes
thinking
|debate
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The debate about the policy is now purely academic since the law has already passed.
- It’s an academic question because the decision has been made.
- Some argue that the issue is more than just an academic exercise.
Learner examples
- The problem is only academic now.
- It is an academic question because we already have an answer.
- Their discussion was academic and not about real life.
Grammar
Dictionary form
academic
IPA
GB/ˌækədˈɛmɪk/
US/ˌækədˈɛmɪk/
Syllables & stress
aca - dem - ic (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ic)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: academic
Noun
- Base: academic
- Plural: academics
Word family
Forms
academics
noun
Core family
academically
adverb
Related words
academy
noun B1
academia
noun
Negative and opposite forms
nonacademic
adjective
Advanced or less common
academician
noun
Expressions
academic freedom
1/ˌækədˈɛmɪk fɹˈidəm/
fixed phrase
formal
freedom to teach and research without control
The right of teachers and students to study and share ideas without limits from others.
Examples
- Academic freedom is essential for open research and discussion.
- The university defends the principle of academic freedom.
academic year
1/ˌækədˈɛmɪk jˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
school or university year period
The months when students go to school or university, usually starting in autumn and ending in summer.
Examples
- The academic year starts in September and ends in June.
- Many students travel abroad during the summer break of the academic year.
academic achievement
1/ˌækədˈɛmɪk ət͡ʃˈivmənt/
fixed phrase
success in school or university work
Good results in school or university work.
Examples
- Her academic achievements earned her a scholarship.
- The school rewards students for high academic achievement.
- The program rewards students for outstanding academic achievement.
- Academic achievement is often linked to good study habits.