technically

adverb

tech·​ni·​cal·​ly ˈtek-ni-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce technically (audio)
1
: with regard to or in accordance with a strict or literal interpretation of something (such as a rule, a term, or an official description or designation)
What they're doing is technically illegal.
Technically, a tomato is a fruit.
Terry-Thomas's character gives a splendid display of gamesmanship in a tennis match that he wins unfairly without technically cheating.Tim Stanley
The business happens to be in Woodside, N.Y., in the borough of Queens, which technically isn't part of Long Island …Paul R. Martin
While she wasn't technically beautiful, she was striking.Sue Grafton
2
: with regard to technology
a more technically advanced vehicle
a technically feasible solution
Looking through the telescope via computer from, say, your office is now technically possible …Aubrey Wallace
3
: with regard to technique (as in a performance or movement)
a technically flawless gymnastic routine
musicians learning to play a technically difficult passage
… he is a resourceful, technically polished actor …Michael Goodwin
Hagen's awareness that his own method of hitting the ball could be improved had earlier helped him make his swing more technically sound …Herbert Warren Wind

Examples of technically in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Google tools for generating revenue from web ads or in-app purchases are technically open to Palestinians but can, in practice, be inaccessible due to challenges verifying their identity or collecting payment. Paresh Dave, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2023 The French duo is preoccupied with sonics and wanted to marry a sleek design to a technically advanced and integrated individual sound system. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 28 Nov. 2023 Related In the case of the Fortnite show, the onstage performance wasn’t technically by Kenshi Yonezu himself, but by his avatar. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 27 Nov. 2023 That last one might seem a bit subjective, because technically most Tennessee whiskey is bourbon that has undergone the extra step of charcoal filtration before going into barrels (something some whiskey fans will debate all day). Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2023 Advertisement Each of New York City’s five boroughs is technically its own county. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2023 While Black Friday is technically over, there are still deals happening today ahead of Cyber Monday. Bridget Degnan, Travel + Leisure, 25 Nov. 2023 Also, Samba sneakers seen on Olivia Wilde, Rihanna, and more A-Listers start at $74 — make sure to choose the right size since these ones are technically men’s. Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 25 Nov. 2023 This means that, in the context of climate negotiations, Singapore, one of the world’s richest countries, still technically doesn’t count as a developed nation, and neither do petrostates like Qatar, the U.A.E., and Saudi Arabia. Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'technically.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of technically was in 1675

Dictionary Entries Near technically

Cite this Entry

“Technically.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/technically. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on technically

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!