technical
Americanadjective
-
belonging or pertaining to an art, science, or the like.
technical skill.
-
peculiar to or characteristic of a particular art, science, profession, trade, etc..
technical details.
-
using terminology or treating subject matter in a manner peculiar to a particular field, as a writer or a book.
a technical report.
-
skilled in or familiar in a practical way with a particular art, trade, etc., as a person.
-
of, relating to, or showing technique.
-
technically demanding or difficult.
a technical violin sonata; a technical ski run.
-
designed or used for technically demanding sports or other activities.
technical apparel.
-
pertaining to or connected with the mechanical or industrial arts and the applied sciences.
a technical school.
-
so considered from a point of view in accordance with a stringent interpretation of the rules.
a military engagement ending in a technical defeat.
-
concerned with or dwelling on technicalities.
You're getting too technical for me.
-
noting a market in which prices are determined largely by supply and demand and other such internal factors rather than by general business, economic, or psychological factors that influence market activity.
technical weakness or strength.
adjective
-
of, relating to, or specializing in industrial, practical, or mechanical arts and applied sciences
a technical institute
-
skilled in practical and mechanical arts rather than theoretical or abstract thinking
-
relating to or characteristic of a particular field of activity
the technical jargon of linguistics
-
existing by virtue of a strict application of the rules or a strict interpretation of the wording
a technical loophole in the law
a technical victory
-
of, derived from, or showing technique
technical brilliance
-
(of a financial market) having prices determined by internal speculative or manipulative factors rather than by general or economic conditions
a technical rally
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of technical
Explanation
Technical describes a specific art or science, or training for a particular job. If you have trouble with your new computer, you might call for technical support, but a technical school teaches you a certain craft, like how to weld. Technical comes from the Greek tekhno, which means "art or skill." Anything technical requires both art and skill. If you're an Olympic gymnast, you have technical abilities. You might go to a technical school to learn how to be a chef, a mechanic, or a massage therapist. While being technical can be a positive trait, you don't want to overwhelm someone with technicalities. For example: If you're trying to explain how a car works to a kid and you start talking about manifolds, you're getting too technical.
Vocabulary lists containing technical
Reading: Informational - Middle School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Academy Awards, List 6
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Lessons 2–4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The average year sees the New York Stock Exchange experience 21 days when downside volume is 80% or more of the action, according to BTIG’s technical guru Jonathan Krinsky.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 17, 2026
In the context of AI, it has a specific technical meaning.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
The ministry did not say how many people were arrested but said they included three former senior government officials accused of "providing technical services aimed at disrupting the electoral system".
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
During one friendly Eckert watched the game from the stands, and later told the club's media: "Let's hope we don't need it," when asked about managing the game away from the technical area.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
And I know his thoughts are extra busy with his own concerns, especially after some technical difficulties slow us down, and we get through everything together with patience and reassuring smiles.
From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
