Academic vs. Knowledge — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 5, 2024
Academic refers to matters related to education, learning, and scholarly activities, while knowledge encompasses all that is known in any field or context.
Difference Between Academic and Knowledge
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Academic typically relates to the structured environment of schools, universities, and educational systems, focusing on formal learning and theoretical understanding. On the other hand, knowledge is a broader concept that includes information, understanding, and skills acquired through experience or education. It is not confined to academic institutions.
Academic pursuits often involve a systematic study and are associated with obtaining degrees and qualifications. Whereas knowledge can be informal and accumulated from everyday experiences, media, personal research, and interactions with others.
Academics are usually documented and follow a curriculum or academic discourse shaped by scholarly methods and peer-reviewed processes. Knowledge, however, can be more fluid, encompassing personal insights, practical skills, and even unverified information.
The value of academic efforts is frequently measured through assessments, grades, and scholarly publications. On the other hand, the value of knowledge is often demonstrated through its applicability in real-world situations and its ability to solve problems.
Academic learning is typically guided by educators and structured by educational standards and benchmarks. Knowledge can be self-guided and often does not follow a structured pathway, relying instead on individual interests and needs.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Pertains to schooling and scholarly studies
All-encompassing term for information acquired
Context
Educational institutions
Any setting
Validation
Degrees, publications
Practical application
Methodology
Structured curriculum
Experience, observation
Assessment
Grades, exams
Applicability, usefulness
Compare with Definitions
Academic
Involving a lot of reading and studying rather than practical skills.
They were engaged in a purely academic discussion of the issue.
Knowledge
Facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education.
Her knowledge of the industry is unmatched.
Academic
Pertaining to schools, colleges, and universities.
She is conducting academic research on medieval literature.
Knowledge
Awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation.
He has extensive knowledge of computer programming.
Academic
Scholarly or theoretical rather than practical.
His approach to solving problems is very academic.
Knowledge
The theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.
You need a thorough knowledge of the law to succeed in this field.
Academic
Relating to an institution of learning.
He is facing challenges adjusting to the academic environment.
Knowledge
Information held on a particular subject or field.
Our knowledge of ancient cultures comes from artifacts and manuscripts.
Academic
Based on formal study, especially at an institution of higher learning.
She holds an academic position at the university.
Knowledge
The sum of what is known.
The library is a vast resource of human knowledge.
Academic
Of or relating to institutionalized education and scholarship, especially at a college or university.
Knowledge
Knowledge is a familiarity, awareness, or understanding of someone or something, such as facts (descriptive knowledge), skills (procedural knowledge), or objects (acquaintance knowledge). By most accounts, knowledge can be acquired in many different ways and from many sources, including but not limited to perception, reason, memory, testimony, scientific inquiry, education, and practice.
Academic
Of or relating to studies that rely on reading and involve abstract thought rather than being primarily practical or technical.
Knowledge
Facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject
A thirst for knowledge
Her considerable knowledge of antiques
Academic
Relating to scholarly performance
A student's academic average.
Knowledge
Awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation
The programme had been developed without his knowledge
He denied all knowledge of the incidents
Academic
Academic Of or relating to the conservative style of art promoted by an official academy, especially the Académie des Beaux Arts in France in the nineteenth century.
Knowledge
Sexual intercourse.
Academic
Having little practical use or value, as by being overly detailed, unengaging, or theoretical
Dismissed the article as a dry, academic exercise.
Knowledge
The state or fact of knowing
Humans naturally aspire to knowledge.
Academic
Having no important consequence or relevancy
The debate about who is to blame has become academic because the business has left town.
Knowledge
Familiarity, awareness, or understanding gained through experience or study
Has great knowledge of these parts.
Has only limited knowledge of chemistry.
Academic
A faculty member or scholar at an institution of higher learning, such as a university.
Knowledge
The sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned
The extraordinary knowledge housed in the library.
Academic
One who has an academic viewpoint or a scholarly background.
Knowledge
(Archaic) Carnal knowledge.
Academic
Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato
The academic sect or philosophy
Knowledge
The fact of knowing about something; general understanding or familiarity with a subject, place, situation etc.
His knowledge of Iceland was limited to what he'd seen on the Travel Channel.
Academic
Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning, or a scholarly society or organization.
Knowledge
Awareness of a particular fact or situation; a state of having been informed or made aware of something.
Academic
In particular: relating to literary, classical, or artistic studies like the humanities, rather than to technical or vocational studies like engineering or welding.
Knowledge
Intellectual understanding; the state of appreciating truth or information.
Knowledge consists in recognizing the difference between good and bad decisions.
Academic
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
Knowledge
Familiarity or understanding of a particular skill, branch of learning etc.
Does your friend have any knowledge of hieroglyphs, perchance?
A secretary should have a good knowledge of shorthand.
Academic
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.
Knowledge
(philosophical) Justified true belief
Academic
(art) Conforming to set rules and traditions; conventional; formalistic.
Knowledge
Sexual intimacy or intercourse (now usually in phrase carnal knowledge).
Academic
Subscribing to the architectural standards of Vitruvius.
Knowledge
(obsolete) Information or intelligence about something; notice.
Academic
So scholarly as to be unaware of the outside world; lacking in worldliness; inexperienced in practical matters.
Knowledge
The total of what is known; all information and products of learning.
His library contained the accumulated knowledge of the Greeks and Romans.
Academic
A follower of Plato, a Platonist.
Knowledge
(countable) Something that can be known; a branch of learning; a piece of information; a science.
Academic
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.
Knowledge
(obsolete) Acknowledgement.
Academic
A member of the Academy; an academician.
Knowledge
(obsolete) Notice, awareness.
Academic
(archaic) A student in a college.
Knowledge
The deep familiarity with certain routes and places of interest required by taxicab drivers working in London, England.
Academic
(pluralonly) Academic dress; academicals.
Knowledge
(obsolete) To confess as true; to acknowledge.
Academic
(pluralonly) Academic studies.
Knowledge
The act or state of knowing; clear perception of fact, truth, or duty; certain apprehension; familiar cognizance; cognition.
Knowledge, which is the highest degree of the speculative faculties, consists in the perception of the truth of affirmative or negative propositions.
Academic
Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato; as, the Academic sect or philosophy.
Knowledge
That which is or may be known; the object of an act of knowing; a cognition; - chiefly used in the plural.
There is a great difference in the delivery of the mathematics, which are the most abstracted of knowledges.
Knowledges is a term in frequent use by Bacon, and, though now obsolete, should be revived, as without it we are compelled to borrow "cognitions" to express its import.
To use a word of Bacon's, now unfortunately obsolete, we must determine the relative value of knowledges.
Academic
Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning; scholarly; literary or classical, in distinction from scientific.
Knowledge
That which is gained and preserved by knowing; instruction; acquaintance; enlightenment; learning; scholarship; erudition.
Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Ignorance is the curse of God;Knowledge, the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.
Academic
One holding the philosophy of Socrates and Plato; a Platonist.
Knowledge
That familiarity which is gained by actual experience; practical skill; as, a knowledge of life.
Shipmen that had knowledge of the sea.
Academic
A member of an academy, college, or university; an academician.
Knowledge
Scope of information; cognizance; notice; as, it has not come to my knowledge.
Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldst take knowledge of me?
Academic
An educator who works at a college or university
Knowledge
Sexual intercourse; - usually preceded by carnal; same as carnal knowledge.
Academic
Associated with academia or an academy;
The academic curriculum
Academic gowns
Knowledge
To acknowledge.
Academic
Hypothetical or theoretical and not expected to produce an immediate or practical result;
An academic discussion
An academic question
Knowledge
The psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
Academic
Marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects
Common Curiosities
How does one assess academic achievements?
Academic achievements are usually assessed through exams, grades, and peer-reviewed publications.
What is the main focus of academic activities?
Academic activities primarily focus on education, learning, and scholarly research within educational institutions.
Why is academic writing important?
Academic writing is important for disseminating research findings, advancing scholarly discussion, and helping students develop critical thinking and writing skills.
How are academic qualifications beneficial?
Academic qualifications can open professional opportunities, certify expertise, and are recognized credentials that validate educational accomplishments.
Can academic knowledge differ from general knowledge?
Yes, academic knowledge is often more specialized and theoretical, focusing on deep expertise in a specific field, while general knowledge is broader and more practical.
How is knowledge acquired?
Knowledge can be acquired through formal education, personal experiences, observation, or interaction with the environment.
Is all knowledge academic?
No, not all knowledge is academic; much of it is practical knowledge gained through everyday life experiences.
Are there different types of knowledge?
Yes, types of knowledge include declarative (factual), procedural (how-to), and tacit (inherently understood and difficult to transfer).
What is an example of academic knowledge?
An example of academic knowledge is understanding the theories of quantum physics as taught in a university course.
How does practical knowledge differ from academic knowledge?
Practical knowledge is directly applicable to everyday tasks and problems, while academic knowledge often explores deeper theoretical aspects.
What role does experience play in acquiring knowledge?
Experience is crucial in acquiring practical knowledge, as it involves learning by doing, observing, and interacting within various contexts.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
