Academy vs. Academic — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 21, 2024
Academy refers to an institution for learning or a group of notable scholars, while academic relates to scholarly activities or pertaining to an academy.
Difference Between Academy and Academic
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An academy is typically an institution dedicated to education and learning, which can range from primary levels to higher education, focusing on a variety of disciplines. Whereas, the term academic is used as an adjective to describe anything related to an academy, its studies, or the scholarly attributes of something.
Academies often have structured programs and curricula, providing formal education in various fields such as arts, sciences, or military training. On the other hand, academic can refer to theoretical approaches rather than practical applications, emphasizing theoretical knowledge or research.
In many contexts, academy denotes a society or organization that promotes certain arts or sciences and includes members who are experts in these fields. Conversely, academic can describe a person as a scholar or teacher in a higher educational institution, typically involved in deep study or teaching.
Some academies are also known for their exclusivity and specialization in certain subjects or skills, such as the French Academy which is dedicated to the French language and literature. In contrast, academic publications and discourse often involve detailed analysis and peer-reviewed studies contributing to the body of knowledge in various academic fields.
The concept of an academy started with Plato’s school of philosophy in Athens, symbolizing a gathering place for scholars. Whereas academic pursuits have expanded globally to include a vast range of subjects and research activities, influencing educational policies and practices worldwide.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An institution for learning and scholarship.
Pertaining to scholarship in an institution.
Usage
Noun
Adjective
Context
Educational institutions, societies.
Studies, activities, publications.
Focus
Practical and theoretical education.
Mostly theoretical knowledge.
Example Institutions
Military academies, art schools.
Universities, colleges.
Compare with Definitions
Academy
A place of learning or scholarly research.
The academy focuses on environmental research.
Academic
A teacher or scholar in a college or institute of higher education.
He is a well-known academic in his field.
Academy
A society or institution of distinguished scholars and artists or scientists.
He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
Academic
Pertaining to theoretical aspects of a subject.
His approach to the problem is purely academic.
Academy
A secondary or high school, especially a private one.
He went to a military academy.
Academic
Associated with academia or an academy.
The research meets academic standards.
Academy
An organization intended to protect and develop an area of knowledge.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Academic
Relating to education and scholarship.
She pursued an academic career in chemistry.
Academy
A place of study or training in a special field.
She attended a police academy.
Academic
Not practical or directly useful.
The debate was of an academic nature.
Academy
An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of secondary or tertiary higher learning, research, or honorary membership. The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy, founded approximately 385 BC at Akademia, a sanctuary of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and skill, north of Athens, Greece.
Academic
Of or relating to institutionalized education and scholarship, especially at a college or university.
Academy
A place of study or training in a special field
A police academy
Academic
Of or relating to studies that rely on reading and involve abstract thought rather than being primarily practical or technical.
Academy
A society or institution of distinguished scholars and artists or scientists that aims to promote and maintain standards in its particular field
The Royal Academy of Arts
Academic
Relating to scholarly performance
A student's academic average.
Academy
A school for special instruction.
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.
Academy
A secondary or college-preparatory school, especially a private one.
Academic
Having little practical use or value, as by being overly detailed, unengaging, or theoretical
Dismissed the article as a dry, academic exercise.
Academy
The academic community; academe
"When there's moral leadership from the White House and from the academy, people tend to adjust" (Jesse Jackson).
Academic
Having no important consequence or relevancy
The debate about who is to blame has become academic because the business has left town.
Academy
Higher education in general. Used with the.
Academic
A faculty member or scholar at an institution of higher learning, such as a university.
Academy
A society of scholars, scientists, or artists.
Academic
One who has an academic viewpoint or a scholarly background.
Academy
Plato's school for advanced education and the first institutional school of philosophy.
Academic
Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato
The academic sect or philosophy
Academy
Platonism.
Academic
Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning, or a scholarly society or organization.
Academy
The disciples of Plato.
Academic
In particular: relating to literary, classical, or artistic studies like the humanities, rather than to technical or vocational studies like engineering or welding.
Academy
The garden where Plato taught.
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
Academy
Plato's philosophical system based on skepticism; Plato's followers.
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.
Academy
An institution for the study of higher learning; a college or a university; typically a private school.
Academic
(art) Conforming to set rules and traditions; conventional; formalistic.
Academy
A school or place of training in which some special art is taught.
The military academy at West Point; a riding academy; the Academy of Music.; a music academy; a language academy
Academic
Subscribing to the architectural standards of Vitruvius.
Academy
A society of learned people united for the advancement of the arts and sciences, and literature, or some particular art or science.
The French Academy; the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; academies of literature and philology.
Academic
So scholarly as to be unaware of the outside world; lacking in worldliness; inexperienced in practical matters.
Academy
(obsolete) The knowledge disseminated in an Academy.
Academic
A follower of Plato, a Platonist.
Academy
Academia.
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.
Academy
A body of established opinion in a particular field, regarded as authoritative.
Academic
A member of the Academy; an academician.
Academy
A school directly funded by central government, independent of local control.
Academic
(archaic) A student in a college.
Academy
A garden or grove near Athens (so named from the hero Academus), where Plato and his followers held their philosophical conferences; hence, the school of philosophy of which Plato was head.
Academic
(pluralonly) Academic dress; academicals.
Academy
An institution for the study of higher learning; a college or a university. Popularly, a school, or seminary of learning, holding a rank between a college and a common school.
Academic
(pluralonly) Academic studies.
Academy
A place of training; a school.
Academic
Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato; as, the Academic sect or philosophy.
Academy
A society of learned men united for the advancement of the arts and sciences, and literature, or some particular art or science; as, the French Academy; the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; academies of literature and philology.
Academic
Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning; scholarly; literary or classical, in distinction from scientific.
Academy
A school or place of training in which some special art is taught; as, the military academy at West Point; a riding academy; the Academy of Music.
Academic
One holding the philosophy of Socrates and Plato; a Platonist.
Academy
A secondary school (usually private)
Academic
A member of an academy, college, or university; an academician.
Academy
An institution for the advancement of art or science or literature
Academic
An educator who works at a college or university
Academy
A school for special training
Academic
Associated with academia or an academy;
The academic curriculum
Academic gowns
Academy
A learned establishment for the advancement of knowledge
Academic
Hypothetical or theoretical and not expected to produce an immediate or practical result;
An academic discussion
An academic question
Academic
Marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects
Common Curiosities
Can an academy also be a society?
Yes, some academies are societies that promote specific arts, sciences, or professions and consist of experts in those fields.
Are academies only for children and teenagers?
No, academies can be for learners of all ages and may include higher education and professional training institutions.
What does academic mean?
Academic refers to matters concerning the scholarship, research, or teaching in educational institutions.
Are academies funded by governments?
Many academies receive government funding, but there are also private academies.
What types of academies are there?
There are many types, including military, dance, research, and fine arts academies.
What is an academy?
An academy is an institution dedicated to education and learning, often specialized in certain fields.
Is the term academic always related to universities?
While commonly associated with universities and colleges, academic can refer to any scholarly activity or setting.
Can something be both academic and practical?
Yes, some academic pursuits lead to practical applications, although the term often implies a more theoretical focus.
Do academics only work in education?
While most academics are affiliated with educational institutions, some work in industry or consulting roles.
Can anyone join an academic society?
Membership usually requires meeting specific scholarly criteria or achievements.
How important is an academy in a child's education?
Depending on the educational system, academies can play a critical role in providing specialized training and education.
What is the goal of an academic study?
The goal is typically to advance knowledge, explore theories, and contribute to scholarly discussions.
How is an academic different from a scholar?
While both terms often refer to people involved in scholarly activities, "academic" specifically pertains to roles within educational institutions.
What makes an academic journal?
An academic journal is a peer-reviewed periodical publishing scholarly articles on specialized subjects.
Are academic articles accessible to everyone?
Many are accessible via educational institutions or academic databases, though some might be behind paywalls.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
