technically

American  

[tek-nik-lee] / ˈtɛk nɪk li /

adverb

1. in a way that is peculiar to a certain specialized field of study or activity.

   The part of the body that relates to the saddle on a conventional machine is technically termed the perineum.

2. with regard to the detailed formal skills and competencies expected in the practice of a particular art or sport.

   There are many artists who study hard and become technically proficient, but they don't touch people in the way that a few great artists have.

3. in a way that relies on a strict interpretation of words or rules.

   Today (well, technically yesterday, as it's now 3 a.m.) I went to the immigration office to see what was holding things up.

4. in a way that has to do with technology or the trades as opposed to academics or the arts.

   If you are technically inclined, you can build a lighting system yourself with some good LED lights and a car battery.

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Other Word Forms

• hypertechnically adverb
• nontechnically adverb
• overtechnically adverb
• pretechnically adverb
• quasi-technically adverb
• untechnically adverb

Etymology

Origin of technically

technical ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

Something technically true is actually, really true or correct but it may not be the way people think about it. For example, although people call a tomato a vegetable, technically it’s a fruit. A birth father may technically be your father — according to a DNA test — but if you've lived with a stepfather your whole life, he’s your dad. Things that are technically true fulfill some exact requirement. Technically, a swing set might be in your neighbor’s yard, but since their kids are grown up, they consider it yours.

Example Sentences

But if you’re ready to take the center stage, it’s free to sing — at least technically.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

Israel and Lebanon have technically been in a state of war since 1948 and the two countries do not have diplomatic relations.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

These platforms are not technically considered gambling because they are federally regulated as financial exchanges, allowing them to operate in all 50 states — even those that ban sports betting.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

As Mark explains, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents don’t technically have absolute immunity from legal liability, but they do enjoy broad protections from prosecution thanks to federal law.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

West Oakland High itself was a massive structure in the northern part of what was technically not West Oakland at all.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro