Academic: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe anything related to formal education or scholarly pursuit. Often refers to schools, colleges, or universities, and the activities or responsibilities within them.

• She received several academic awards for her research.
• The academic year starts in September.

Refers to anything that provides education or is related to the process of educating. Can be applied to a broader range of learning experiences, not just formal education.

• The museum has many educational exhibits for children.
• Watching documentaries can be very educational.

Pertains to serious academic study and research. Often refers to work that is rigorous and connects to the academic community.

• His scholarly article on ancient history was well-received.
• She has a scholarly interest in linguistics.

Describes activities or pursuits that involve thoughtful analysis, reasoning, and mental effort. Often used to refer to people or things that are related to the life of the mind.

• She enjoys engaging in intellectual debates.
• The book offers a lot of intellectual stimulation.

An academic refers to an individual engaged in teaching or research at a college or university.

• He's an academic with a focus on medieval literature.
• As an academic, she has published numerous papers in her field.

A 'scholar' refers to someone who is highly educated, often deeply immersed in academic or intellectual pursuits. This term can denote respect and admiration for the person's depth of knowledge.

• He is a distinguished scholar of ancient Greek philosophy.
• Scholarships are often awarded to top scholars in each field.

A 'professor' is a senior academic instructor or researcher at a college or university. This term is often used to indicate a high level of expertise and authority in a specific subject.

• Professor Smith will be lecturing on European history.
• He became a full professor after years of dedication to his research.

A 'researcher' is someone who conducts studies and investigations to discover new information or enhance knowledge in their field. This term is not limited to academic settings and can be used in various industries.

• The researchers are working on a new vaccine.
• She is a researcher at a pharmaceutical company.