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

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

Now, with 137 Eurofighter Typhoons and at least 37 Joint Strike Fighter F-35 Lightning II in service, it has far fewer, though they are technically superior.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

It is technically not too late for her to change her mind — the agency allows people to withdraw their claims within the first 12 months, provided they repay any benefits they have received.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

The auction of the February 2036 Bund was technically uncovered—whereby the volume of bids remained below the offer volume.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

To be fair, my parents didn’t technically lie.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman