学术性
Academic describes things related to schools, colleges, and serious study.
Explanation at your level:
The word academic is for school. If you study hard, you are an academic student. It is about books and classes.
When you talk about school subjects, you can say they are academic. It means you learn them in a classroom.
Use academic to describe things like university degrees or research papers. It is a formal way to talk about learning.
In this level, you'll see academic used to describe the 'academic world.' It implies a focus on theory rather than just practice.
Advanced users use academic to distinguish between theoretical discourse and practical application. It implies a high level of intellectual rigor.
At the mastery level, academic can describe a tone or style of writing that is objective, formal, and evidence-based, common in peer-reviewed journals.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Relates to schools and study.
- Often used in formal contexts.
- Can describe a person (scholar).
- Means theoretical, not practical.
Hey there! When we talk about something being academic, we are usually referring to the world of schools, universities, and deep study. Think of it as the opposite of 'hands-on' or 'practical' work; it's the stuff you find in textbooks, research papers, and lecture halls.
You might hear someone say, 'That's a purely academic question,' which often means it's interesting to think about but doesn't really change anything in the real world. It’s all about the pursuit of knowledge for the sake of learning!
The word academic has a super cool history that goes all the way back to Ancient Greece! It comes from the name of a park in Athens called Akademeia, where the famous philosopher Plato had his school.
Over time, the word evolved from just being the name of a place to describing the type of teaching that happened there. By the 16th century, it was being used in English to describe anything related to higher education. It’s amazing how a simple park name became the foundation for how we describe scholars today.
You'll mostly hear academic used in formal settings like universities or professional conferences. Common phrases include academic performance, which teachers use to talk about your grades, or academic freedom, which is a big deal for professors who want to research whatever they want.
It’s definitely a formal word. You wouldn't use it to describe a casual chat with a friend at a coffee shop, unless you were joking around! Keep it for essays, reports, and serious discussions about education.
While 'academic' itself isn't always in an idiom, it’s often part of set phrases. Academic exercise means a task that has no practical value. Academic year refers to the period when students are in school. Academic discipline refers to a specific branch of knowledge like history or physics. Academic excellence is a high standard of achievement. Academic integrity means being honest in your schoolwork.
Pronounced ak-uh-DEM-ik, the stress is on the third syllable. It rhymes with words like epidemic or polemic. As an adjective, it usually comes before a noun, like 'an academic setting.'
You can also use it as a noun to describe a teacher or researcher, as in 'She is a brilliant academic.' It’s a versatile word that fits perfectly into formal writing patterns.
Fun Fact
Plato taught in a grove named after a hero named Academus.
Pronunciation Guide
ak-uh-DEM-ik
ak-uh-DEM-ik
Common Errors
- stressing the first syllable
- mispronouncing the 'dem' part
- dropping the 'k' at the end
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Common in texts
Useful for essays
Used in formal talk
Common in lectures
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
An academic book
Articles with nouns
An academic
Compound adjectives
Non-academic
Examples by Level
I like academic subjects.
academic = school-related
adjective
He is an academic.
academic = scholar
noun usage
This is an academic book.
academic = for study
adjective
We work on academic goals.
academic = school goals
adjective
She has academic skills.
academic = study skills
adjective
The class is academic.
academic = related to school
adjective
He likes academic life.
academic = school life
adjective
It is an academic task.
academic = study task
adjective
She wants to pursue an academic career.
The library is an academic space.
He received an academic award.
They focus on academic success.
The program has high academic standards.
She is an academic researcher.
It was an academic debate.
The course is very academic.
The professor published an academic paper.
He struggled with the academic requirements.
They discussed the academic implications.
She has a strong academic background.
The university promotes academic freedom.
He is known for his academic achievements.
The journal is purely academic.
They attended an academic conference.
His argument was purely academic.
She is dedicated to academic excellence.
The school maintains strict academic integrity.
They are involved in academic circles.
The project has little academic value.
He is an academic at heart.
The tone of the essay is academic.
She is pursuing an academic path.
The debate became an academic exercise.
His research is of great academic interest.
She is a leading academic in her field.
The text is written in an academic style.
They are debating the academic merits.
The institute promotes academic exchange.
It is a matter of academic debate.
She is an academic authority.
The work is a significant academic achievement.
He is a renowned academic figure.
The study provides an academic perspective.
Their findings have academic significance.
She is deeply involved in academic discourse.
The paper is an academic tour de force.
He has an academic interest in history.
The book is a classic academic text.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"academic exercise"
a task with no real-world impact
Debating this is just an academic exercise.
formal"ivory tower"
a place of academic seclusion
He lives in an ivory tower.
literary"academic probation"
a warning for low grades
He was put on academic probation.
formal"academic rigor"
high standards of study
The course requires academic rigor.
formal"academic credentials"
degrees and qualifications
Check his academic credentials.
formal"academic community"
the group of scholars
The academic community is discussing this.
formalEasily Confused
Both mean study-related
Scholarly is more about deep research
A scholarly paper vs an academic setting
Both relate to school
Educational is broader
An educational toy vs an academic course
Both relate to thinking
Intellectual is about the person's mind
An intellectual debate vs an academic debate
Both are abstract
Theoretical is not proven yet
A theoretical model vs an academic paper
Sentence Patterns
He is an academic.
He is an academic.
The academic paper is long.
The academic paper is long.
She has academic goals.
She has academic goals.
It is purely academic.
It is purely academic.
They value academic freedom.
They value academic freedom.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Academic describes the context, not the person's inherent IQ.
You go to school, but you do academic work.
Vocational is for jobs; academic is for theory.
Standard spelling.
Academic sounds too formal for casual chats.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a grand library.
Native usage
Use it in essays.
Cultural insight
Refers to Plato.
Grammar shortcut
Adjective before noun.
Say it right
Stress the middle.
Don't mistake
Don't use for 'smart'.
Did you know?
Greek origin.
Study smart
Use flashcards.
Context
Formal writing.
Noun usage
He is an academic.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
A-cad-em-ic: A CAD (a bad person) E-MIC (in the middle of school).
Visual Association
A large library full of books.
Word Web
Challenge
Write one sentence about your favorite school subject using the word.
Word Origin
Greek
Original meaning: The grove of Academus
Cultural Context
None
Highly valued in university settings.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At university
- Academic advisor
- Academic calendar
- Academic staff
Writing essays
- Academic tone
- Academic sources
- Academic writing
Professional research
- Academic study
- Academic community
- Academic journal
School meetings
- Academic progress
- Academic performance
- Academic goals
Conversation Starters
"What is your favorite academic subject?"
"Do you prefer academic or practical work?"
"Why is academic integrity important?"
"Have you ever attended an academic conference?"
"What are your academic goals for this year?"
Journal Prompts
Describe your academic journey so far.
Why do you think academic subjects are important?
Write about a time you had to do academic research.
What does academic success mean to you?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsMostly, yes.
Only if it's a research job.
Yes, it can be.
ak-uh-DEM-ik.
Usually, yes.
Sometimes.
Very common in writing.
No.
Test Yourself
He is an ___ student.
Academic describes the student's focus.
What is an academic?
An academic is a person in education.
Academic work is usually practical.
Academic work is usually theoretical.
Word
Meaning
Matches term to meaning.
Correct structure: He is an academic.
The debate was purely ___.
Purely academic is a common collocation.
Which is an academic synonym?
Scholarly means academic.
Academic integrity means cheating.
It means honesty.
Word
Meaning
Synonyms.
Correct sentence structure.
Score: /10
Summary
Academic refers to the serious, theoretical study found in schools and universities.
- Relates to schools and study.
- Often used in formal contexts.
- Can describe a person (scholar).
- Means theoretical, not practical.
Memory Palace
Visualize a grand library.
Native usage
Use it in essays.
Cultural insight
Refers to Plato.
Grammar shortcut
Adjective before noun.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More academic words
缺席
B1The state of being absent from a place or event where one is expected to be, such as a class, meeting, or ceremony.
抽象的
A2Abstract.
抽象地
B1In an abstract manner; conceptually.
艰深
B1Profound; abstruse; recondite.
学术化
B1Academic; characterized by formal study or research.
学术会议
A2Academic conference; a formal meeting for academic discussions.
学术交流
B1Exchange of ideas, information, and research among scholars.
学术期刊
B1A periodical publication containing scholarly articles.
教务处
A2Academic affairs office; department handling educational administration.
学术论文
B1Academic paper; scholarly article.
