academe

IPA/ˈæk.ə.diːm/
KK[ˈækədˌim]IPA/ˈæk.ə.diːm/

academe — noun

1. higher education viewed as a single community of scholars — the professors, rese

1.nounC1
Definition

higher education viewed as a single community of scholars — the professors, researchers, graduate students, and the colleges and universities where they teach, study, and carry out research.

Example

After twenty years in academe, Dr. Okafor shared her research through a popular science book.

in academe — set phrase for the academic world

The funding cuts divided opinion across British academe, with many professors fearing for their departments.

Common collocations
  • in academe
  • enter academe
  • leave academe
  • within academe
  • a career in academe
Synonyms
  • academia

    more common in everyday English; 'academia' is the standard term, while 'academe' has a more literary tone

  • the academy

    refers more narrowly to institutions and governing bodies of higher learning

  • the university world

    more concrete and accessible; works well for general audiences

Antonyms
  • the real world

    used in contrast to the perceived isolation of university life from everyday practical concerns

  • industry

    the commercial or business sector, often contrasted with academe in career discussions

Grammar Patterns

academe is treated as uncountable

in academe

Usage Note

Frequently occurs in the fixed phrases 'in academe' and 'enter academe'. Considerably less common than the near-synonym 'academia'; used mainly in formal and literary writing.

Common Mistakes

The academe is too competitive these days.
Academe is too competitive these days.
'academe' is uncountable and does not take an article when used in a general sense.
She moved into academe after her PhD and became a successful academe.
She moved into academe after her PhD and became a successful academic.
'academe' is the world or community, not a person; use 'academic' for a person.

Word family

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • the world of academe
  • life in academe
  • a position in academe

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'academe' traces back to 'Akadēmeia', the grove near ancient Athens where the philosopher Plato taught his students. The name passed into Latin as 'Academia', then into English through French. In the 1500s, English writers adopted the shortened form 'academe' for poetic and literary use — the poet John Milton, for instance, used it in the 1600s. Over time it shifted from meaning 'a school of philosophy' to 'the world of universities and scholarship'.