academic
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 5He 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.
The university requires high academic standards for admission into the program.
The college needs students to have very high grades to join the course.
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.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
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
He has a lot of academic pressure this semester due to his exams.
everydayHe is feeling a lot of stress from his school studies this term.
The university requires high academic standards for admission into the program.
formalThe college needs students to have very high grades to join the course.
My brother isn't very academic; he prefers fixing cars to reading books.
informalMy brother doesn't enjoy studying much; he likes manual work more.
This paper provides a detailed academic analysis of the historical data.
academicThis document offers a deep educational study of the information from the past.
She has strong academic credentials but lacks practical business experience.
businessShe has very good university qualifications but has not worked in a company yet.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
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 is usually an adjective describing things related to school, while a scholar is a noun for a person who studies a lot.
Academic is the adjective; academy is the noun referring to the specific institution or school.
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.
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
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 Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
A detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discov...
curriculumA curriculum refers to the total set of courses, subjects, a...
facultyA faculty refers to the teaching and administrative staff of...
degreeAn academic rank or qualification awarded by a college or un...
universityA university is a high-level educational institution where s...
Related Words
bolster
C1To 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
C1A 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
C1A 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
C1A 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
C1Brazen 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
C1Exceptionally 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
C1A 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
C1A 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
C1In 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
C1To 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.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free