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

Example Sentences

They are paid by their employer, so it’s technically not free advice, and you should be careful that they don’t sell you unnecessary insurance and/or annuities.

From MarketWatch

“We on the ground also have an idea of what we want,” he said, but added their ideas are “probably not technically realistic.”

From The Wall Street Journal

For many in Rarotonga, there is a sense of futility when it comes to U.S.-China competition and deep-sea mining, even though technically the islands haven’t yet formally legalized mining.

From The Wall Street Journal

Detroit is technically still alive and playing with urgency after a loss that had to bruise morale.

From Los Angeles Times

While the standards are technically suggestions, Sheehan said they are effectively rules.

From The Wall Street Journal