Academy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ə-ˈka-də-mē/ acad·e·my

Meaning & Definition of Academy

Academy (noun)

  1. a school usually above the elementary level; especially, a private high school
  2. a high school or college in which special subjects or skills are taught
  3. higher education —used with the

Academy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a place or establishment for teaching and learning

    "a military academy"

    "an academy of the fine arts"

    similar: academe, school, seminary
    related: boarding school, prep, preparatory school, prep school, common school, elementary school, grammar school, high school, junior high school, kindergarten, middle school, primary school, public school, secondary school, senior high school, trade school, training school, charter school, magnet school, minischool, madrassa, Sunday school, yeshiva

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Academy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Academy:

academe, school, seminary

Related Words for Academy

boarding school, prep, preparatory school, prep school, common school, elementary school, grammar school, high school, junior high school, kindergarten, middle school, primary school, public school, secondary school, senior high school, trade school, training school, charter school, magnet school, minischool, madrassa, Sunday school, yeshiva

Word Forms of Academy

Inflections: academies

Origin & Etymology of Academy

in sense 2, borrowed from Latin Acadēmīa, borrowed from Greek Akadḗmeia, Akadēmía, from the name of the gymnasium near Athens where Plato taught, from Akádēmos, Attic mythological hero + -eia or -ia -y:2; in senses 1, 3, and 4 borrowed from French, Italian, & New Latin; French académie, borrowed from Italian & New Latin; Italian accademia, borrowed from New Latin academia, going back to Latin Acadēmīa

First known use: 1549

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Academy

Words & Phrases Containing Academy

Academy Award

Frequently Asked Questions about Academy

What does "Academy" mean?

"Academy" means a school usually above the elementary level; especially, a private high school. As a noun, it is defined as: a school usually above the elementary level; especially, a private high school.

What is another word for "Academy"?

Other words for "Academy" include academe, school and seminary. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Academy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Academy"?

There are 26 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Academy". Common alternatives include academe, school and seminary.

How do you use "Academy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Academy" in a sentence: "a military academy"; "an academy of the fine arts".

Is "Academy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Academy" is a noun.

Is "Academy" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Academy" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Academy"?

"Academy" is pronounced /ə-ˈka-də-mē/ and divided into syllables as acad·e·my.

What is the origin of the word "Academy"?

"Academy" comes from in sense 2, borrowed from Latin Acadēmīa, borrowed from Greek Akadḗmeia, Akadēmía, from the name of the gymnasium near Athens where Plato taught, from Akádēmos, Attic mythological hero + -eia or -ia -y:2; in senses 1, 3, and 4 borrowed from French, Italian, & New Latin; French académie, borrowed from Italian & New Latin; Italian accademia, borrowed from New Latin academia, going back to Latin Acadēmīa. First known use: 1549.