# academicism

CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/academicism
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a style of art or writing that follows strict rules and focuses on technical skill rather than feeling or original ideas.

For teachers: a style of art or literature that prioritises technical skill and adherence to established rules over emotional expression or originality.

## Examples

- The painting shows a strong academicism in its precise brushwork.
- Critics argued that the novel was a product of academicism, lacking the raw emotion found in more modern works.
- While the artist's early works were celebrated for their academicism and classical proportions, his later period saw a deliberate rejection of these formal constraints in favor of more abstract expression.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.