an educator who works at a college or university
"The academic decided to cancel her lecture because she had fallen ill overnight."
A follower of Plato, a Platonist.
"The ancient scholar was dismissed from his post for being an academic who refused to acknowledge any material reality beyond the Forms."
In plain English: An academic is a person who studies at a university or college and teaches other students there.
"The student decided to focus on her academic career instead of working in business."
Usage: In everyday conversation, use "academic" as a noun to refer to a teacher, researcher, or scholar working in a university or college. Do not use this term when simply discussing the philosophical school of thought associated with Plato, which is a specialized historical definition.
hypothetical or theoretical and not expected to produce an immediate or practical result
"an academic discussion"
"an academic question"
Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato
"The scholar argued that his recent findings on the ideal state were purely academic, rooted in Platonic theory rather than modern political reality."
In plain English: Academic means something related to learning and studying at school or university.
"The professor was very strict about academic honesty in his classes."
Usage: Use "academic" to describe matters related to schools, education, or scholarly research in general settings. Avoid this term when referring specifically to ancient Greek philosophy unless you are discussing Plato's specific teachings.
The word academic comes from the Latin academia, which was named after the Academy in ancient Greece where Plato taught. It entered English via Medieval Latin and French to describe things related to that school of thought or higher learning.