academic

views updated May 17 2018

ac·a·dem·ic / ˌakəˈdemik/ • adj. 1. of or relating to education and scholarship. ∎  of or 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. ∎  (of a person) interested in or excelling at scholarly pursuits and activities. ∎  (of an art form) conventional, esp. in an idealized or excessively formal way.2. not of practical relevance; of only theoretical interest: the debate has been largely academic.• n. a teacher or scholar in a college or institute of higher education.DERIVATIVES: ac·a·dem·i·cal·ly adv.