academic

 
Pronunciation: /akəˈdɛmɪk/

adjective

  • 1relating to education and scholarship: academic achievement he had no academic qualifications
  • relating to an educational or scholarly institution or environment: students resplendent in academic dress
  • (of an institution or a course of study) placing a greater emphasis on reading and study than on technical or practical work: a very academic school aiming to get pupils into Oxford or Cambridge
  • (of a person) interested in or excelling at scholarly pursuits and activities: Ben is not an academic child but he tries hard
  • (of an art form) conventional, especially in an idealized or excessively formal way: academic painting
  • 2not of practical relevance; of only theoretical interest: the debate has been largely academic

noun

  • a teacher or scholar in a university or other institute of higher education: the EU offers grants to academics for research on approved projects

Derivatives

academically

adverb

Origin:

mid 16th century: from French académique or medieval Latin academicus, from academia (see academy)