academically

American  

[ak-uh-dem-ik-lee] / ˌæk əˈdɛm ɪk li /

adverb

1. in a way that relates to studies at a college, academy, school, or other educational institution.

   Our caring teaching staff are committed to helping each child develop as a whole person—academically, physically, socially, and emotionally.

2. in a way that pertains to areas of study that are not primarily applied, such as the humanities or pure mathematics, or to instruction that is theoretical rather than hands-on.

   It’s possible to be academically prepared while also having a good concentration in career and technical education.

   I have studied art both academically in college and through a subsequent apprenticeship with an artist.

3. in a way that is purely theoretical or hypothetical rather than practical, realistic, or directly useful.

   While many theologians write academically and very dryly, this author sets before us a rich feast for both heart and mind.

4. in a way that conforms to set rules, standards, or traditions; conventionally.

   Today it is almost a crime to paint academically or realistically, so few art study programs contribute much to the solid foundation required to be a professional artist.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subacademically
  adverb
• semiacademically
  adverb
• quasi-academically
  adverb
• interacademically
  adverb
• unacademically
  adverb
• pseudoacademically
  adverb
• nonacademically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of academically

First recorded in 1600–10; either academical ( def. ) + -ly ( def. ) or academic ( def. ) + -ally ( def. )

Example Sentences

After bouncing around schools and realizing he needed a different education to express himself equally academically and artistically, he ended up at LACHSA.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

Counselors have to piece together transcripts from multiple schools in different counties and students are frequently behind academically.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

Keeping him on track academically has been “a challenge,” his mother, Lakeshia Pointer, said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

He said: "Harrison Carter and George Stephenson were generous, warm-hearted and academically capable boys who enriched the lives of those around them."

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

What this means is that the students—and parents—who choose to opt out tend to be smarter and more academically motivated to begin with.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt