A2 adjective Neutral #523 most common

academic

/ˌækəˈdemɪk/

Relating to schools, colleges, and universities, or connected to studying and thinking rather than practical or technical skills. It is often used to describe subjects like history, math, and science that are studied in an educational setting.

Examples

3 of 5
1

He has a lot of academic pressure this semester due to his exams.

He is feeling a lot of stress from his school studies this term.

2

The university requires high academic standards for admission into the program.

The college needs students to have very high grades to join the course.

3

My brother isn't very academic; he prefers fixing cars to reading books.

My brother doesn't enjoy studying much; he likes manual work more.

Word Family

Noun
academia
Adverb
academically
Adjective
academic
Related
academic
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Memory Tip

Think of an ACADEMY (a school) and add '-IC' to make it an adjective. Academy + ic = Academic.

Quick Quiz

The ______ year usually starts in September in many countries.

Correct!

The correct answer is: academic

Examples

1

He has a lot of academic pressure this semester due to his exams.

everyday

He is feeling a lot of stress from his school studies this term.

2

The university requires high academic standards for admission into the program.

formal

The college needs students to have very high grades to join the course.

3

My brother isn't very academic; he prefers fixing cars to reading books.

informal

My brother doesn't enjoy studying much; he likes manual work more.

4

This paper provides a detailed academic analysis of the historical data.

academic

This document offers a deep educational study of the information from the past.

5

She has strong academic credentials but lacks practical business experience.

business

She has very good university qualifications but has not worked in a company yet.

Word Family

Noun
academia
Adverb
academically
Adjective
academic
Related
academic

Common Collocations

academic year the period of time in a year when students attend school
academic performance how well a student does in their school subjects
academic background the history of a person's education and degrees
academic achievement success in school or university studies
academic discipline a specific branch of knowledge or field of study

Common Phrases

academic circles

groups of people involved in higher education and research

purely academic

something that is theoretical and has no practical importance

academic freedom

the right of teachers and students to express ideas without interference

Often Confused With

academic vs scholar

Academic is usually an adjective describing things related to school, while a scholar is a noun for a person who studies a lot.

academic vs academy

Academic is the adjective; academy is the noun referring to the specific institution or school.

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Usage Notes

Use 'academic' when referring to things related to formal education or theory. It can also be used as a noun to refer to a person who works as a teacher or researcher at a university.

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Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'academic' to mean 'smart,' but it specifically means someone who is good at school-style learning or subjects that aren't manual.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of an ACADEMY (a school) and add '-IC' to make it an adjective. Academy + ic = Academic.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Greek 'Akademia', the name of the garden near Athens where the philosopher Plato taught his students.

Grammar Patterns

Used as an attributive adjective before a noun (e.g., academic success). Can function as a countable noun (e.g., 'He is a leading academic'). No comparative form ('more academic' is rare; 'more scholarly' is preferred).
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Cultural Context

In many English-speaking cultures, there is a strong distinction between 'academic' subjects (like literature) and 'vocational' subjects (like plumbing).

Quick Quiz

The ______ year usually starts in September in many countries.

Correct!

The correct answer is: academic

Related Words

bolster

C1

To support, strengthen, or provide additional evidence for something, making it more effective or resilient. In an academic or professional context, it often refers to reinforcing an argument, a theory, or a financial position.

bonanza

C1

A situation which creates very sudden wealth, luck, or fortune, often on a large scale. It is frequently used to describe a source of great profit or a sudden windfall in business or natural resources.

botch

C1

A botch refers to a piece of work that has been performed poorly, clumsily, or carelessly, resulting in a failed or messy outcome. It often describes a task that was attempted without the necessary skill or attention to detail, leading to a ruined result.

bout

C1

A brief period of intense activity, or a specific occurrence of something, such as an illness or a strong emotion. It is frequently used to describe a temporary struggle or a competitive match in sports like boxing.

brazen

C1

Brazen describes behavior that is bold, shameless, and often shocking because it ignores traditional rules of conduct or morality. It is frequently used when someone does something wrong but makes no effort to hide their actions.

brilliant

C1

Exceptionally clever, talented, or impressive in intellectual or creative pursuits. It can also describe something that shines with extreme brightness or intense color, often signifying superior quality or clarity.

bristle

C1

A short, stiff hair, typically one of those on an animal's skin, a man's face, or a brush. In a scientific or academic context, it refers to any stiff, hair-like structure on an organism.

brochure

C1

A small booklet or pamphlet containing pictures and information about a product, service, or location. It is typically used for advertising or to provide detailed information to a specific audience in a compact format.

browse

C1

In an informational context, a browse is an exploratory, non-linear act of surveying data or items without a specific target. In ecology, it refers to the edible parts of woody plants, such as twigs and shoots, which serve as a primary food source for herbivores.

bulge

C1

To swell or protrude outward beyond the normal surface, typically due to internal pressure or being overfilled. In a broader sense, it can describe a sudden, temporary increase in volume, quantity, or statistical data within a specific segment.

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