What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
academic
Example
He is an academic who has published many papers on the topic. [academic: noun]
Example
The article was written in an academic style with lots of technical jargon. [academic: adjective]
scholarly
Example
She is a scholarly expert in the field of linguistics. [scholarly: adjective]
Example
The book is a scholarly work that provides a comprehensive analysis of the topic. [scholarly: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Academic is more commonly used than scholarly in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and audiences. However, scholarly is more commonly used in academic or professional settings, especially in fields such as science, history, and literature.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between academic and scholarly?
Scholarly is generally considered more formal than academic, as it emphasizes precision, accuracy, and attention to detail. However, both words have a formal connotation and are associated with technical writing and speech.
