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Meaning & use

canonically

adverb·Advancedformal

Last updated

UK/kəˈnɒnɪkli/
US/kəˈnɑnɪkli/

Meanings

  1. adverbnot comparableinformal

    According to the official or accepted version of a story, such as the original books or films.

    Grammar: Usually placed before a verb or adjective: canonically a hero.

    Patterns

    • canonically, ...

    Canonically, the character was born in a small village.

    The two characters are canonically married.

    The sequel is not canonically part of the series.

  2. adverbnot comparablereligionformal

    In keeping with church law or accepted religious rules.

    Grammar: A formal, religious sense.

    Patterns

    • canonically recognized

    The priest was canonically appointed by the bishop.

    The text was canonically accepted into the scripture.

    He was canonically barred from the position.

  3. adverbnot comparabletechnical

    In a standard or most typical way, as in science and mathematics.

    Grammar: Technical use meaning in a standard form.

    Patterns

    • canonically defined

    The map is canonically defined for every group.

    These objects are canonically isomorphic.

    The variables are canonically ordered.

Common combinations

canonically accurate
The film is canonically accurate to the books.
canonically correct
A canonically correct form must be used.
canonically recognized
The saint was canonically recognized in 1950.
canonically married
The characters are canonically married.

Synonyms and how they differ

officially
Officially means by formal authority, but canonically refers to an agreed body of work.
authentically
Authentically means genuinely, but it does not rely on an official text.
traditionally
Traditionally refers to customs, while canonically refers to rules or texts.
orthodoxly
Orthodoxly is rare and refers to accepted belief.

Opposites

noncanonicallyapocryphally

Word family

canon noun
an accepted body of works or rules
canonical adjective
accepted as official or standard
canonize verb
to declare a person a saint
noncanonical adjective
not part of the official body of works

Commonly confused: canonically or cannonically?

canonically vs cannonically

This misspelling uses a double n. The correct spelling has one n after the first a, as in canon, not cannon.

Practice

What does canonically mean in: Canonically, the hero never lost a fight?

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