Definition of "academic" in Englisch

adjective

1. Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato.

   • the academic sect or philosophy

2. Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning, or a scholarly society or organization.

3. In particular: relating to literary, classical, or artistic studies like the humanities, rather than to technical or vocational studies like engineering or welding.

4. Having little practical use or value, as by being overly detailed and unengaging, or by being theoretical and speculative with no practical importance.

   • I have always had an academic interest in hacking.
   • the distinction is academic
   • an academic question

5. Having a love of or aptitude for learning.

   • I’m more academic than athletic — I get lower marks in phys. ed. than in anything else.

6. (art) Conforming to set rules and traditions; conventional; formalistic.

7. So scholarly as to be unaware of the outside world; lacking in worldliness; inexperienced in practical matters.

noun

1. (usually capitalized) A follower of Plato, a Platonist.

2. A senior member of an academy, college, or university; a person who attends an academy; a person engaged in scholarly pursuits; one who is academic in practice.

3. A member of the Academy; an academician.

4. (archaic) A student in a college.

5. (plural only) Academic dress; academicals.

6. (plural only) Academic studies.