Meaning & use

technically

adverb·Academic

In a strict, literal, or precise sense, often when the practical reality differs slightly.

See it in a sentence

Technically, a tomato is a fruit, though most cooks treat it as a vegetable.

He arrived after midnight, so technically he missed the deadline by a few minutes.

A note on using this word

Often signals a pedantic correction that is accurate but beside the practical point.

Words with a similar meaning

strictly speakingliterally

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. adverb

With regard to skill or technique rather than artistic or emotional quality.

The pianist played the piece technically well, though it lacked feeling.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “technically”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.