technically

adverb

tech·​ni·​cal·​ly ˈtek-ni-k(ə-)lē 

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

The trust protector may be given the authority to add to the class of beneficiaries any particular individual who is treated and loved as a child even though, technically, not a biological child. —Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Because Korean War hostilities ended with an armistice rather than a formal peace treaty, the neighbors technically remain in a state of war. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025

Capital One, which is technically a bank, is largely a credit card issuer. —Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 30 June 2025

The program might be a boon to developers and technically move the region closer to its housing goals, but San Diego’s infrastructure cannot support the densification the current rules allow. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

technical entry 1 + -ly entry 2

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 2