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

Technically she’s back home for the Belmont, which is being run at Saratoga for the third and final year while Belmont Park is rebuilt.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

Technically, when Blanche promised lawmakers the anti-weaponization fund would not be moving forward, he was not under oath.

From Slate • Jun. 4, 2026

Technically excellent, positionally outstanding and ice-cold from the kicking tee.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

Technically, there’s no such thing as a newcomer tax.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

Technically, no one was supposed to be living in the building, so the restaurant served as the perfect cover-up for all the people coming and going.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat