academically

[ ak-uh-dem-ik-lee ]

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.

Other Words From

• in·ter·ac·a·dem·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·ac·a·dem·i·cal·ly adverb
• pseu·do·ac·a·dem·i·cal·ly adverb
• qua·si-ac·a·dem·i·cal·ly adverb
• sem·i·ac·a·dem·i·cal·ly adverb
• sub·ac·a·dem·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·ac·a·dem·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of academically¹

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

Example Sentences

He began his education at Franklin & Marshall, but was academically apathetic.

From The Daily Beast

But he was clearly gifted academically and secured in 1998 a Saudi-funded scholarship to study accountancy in Pakistan.

From The Daily Beast

She might be academically very successful and simply quite socially awkward.

From The Daily Beast

Calvin College is an outstanding institution, stronger academically than most, including secular ones.

From The Daily Beast

Dr. Emily Nagoski contributed an academically illustrated thesis on the brain science of desire.

From The Daily Beast

To do him justice he was academically interested in the whole technique of pictorial art as practised in his day.

From Project Gutenberg

But it was one thing to learn something academically and another to put that learning into practice.

From Project Gutenberg

And I must confess that I had treated the idea very cavalierly and academically as a dream and nothing more.

From Project Gutenberg

The manufacturers said that these schools were "academically right and practically wrong."

From Project Gutenberg

This factor of parental selfishness cannot be ignored either academically or practically.

From Project Gutenberg