Academic / B2

ak-uh-DEM-ik/ˌækəˈdemɪk/

Academic describes university study, research, and school subjects — not hands-on business or trade. Native speakers also use an academic question for something interesting in theory but useless right now; practical is the everyday opposite. Collocations include academic year, academic writing, and an academic career. Scholarly is closer to journals; school sounds too young for this level.

Meaning

Connected with education, schools, or study, not with practical work.

Examples

• “She wants an academic career, not a business one.”
• “The paper is too academic for a general magazine.”
• “She took a year out before starting academic work.”

Good to know

academic year / writing / career. Also: an academic question = theoretical, not practical.

Near in meaning

scholarly

Topics

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