technically

technically — adverb

1. relating to what is true when you follow strict rules or the precise definition

1.adverbB2
Definition

relating to what is true when you follow strict rules or the precise definition of a term, often used to show a contrast with what happens in real life.

Example

Technically, the rental agreement ends on Friday, but the landlord lets us stay until Sunday.

sentence adverb + clause showing rules vs. reality

Sora is technically still a university student, although she has finished all her exams.

technically + clause with contrast implied

Common collocations
  • technically correct
  • technically possible
  • technically illegal
  • technically speaking
Synonyms
  • strictly speaking

    more formal and focuses purely on rule following, without the practical contrast that 'technically' carries

  • in theory

    emphasises that something should be true according to ideas, whereas 'technically' focuses on rules or definitions

  • formally

    used for official or legal rules, not for general definitions or word meanings

  • literally

    focuses on the exact meaning of words, often used for emphasis; 'technically' allows more room for exceptions

Antonyms
  • practically

    describes what is true in real use, ignoring strict rules or definitions

Grammar Patterns

technically + clause

technically + adjective

Usage Note

Often used at the start of a sentence to introduce a fact that follows strict rules but does not match the practical situation. Frequently followed by 'but' or 'however' to point out the real-world difference.

Common Mistakes

Technically, I am finishing my degree next month.' (when you just mean 'according to plan').
Technically, I have passed all the courses, but the certificate will not arrive until next month.
Use 'technically' only when there is a gap between what the rules say and what is actually true in practice.
Technically, he is wrong.' (without a contrast).
Technically, he is wrong, but the judge accepted his argument anyway.
The word works best when you follow it with a real-world exception.

2. connected with the use of scientific knowledge, machines, electronic systems, or

2.adverbB1
Definition

connected with the use of scientific knowledge, machines, electronic systems, or industrial methods.

Example

The new phone is technically advanced, with a battery that lasts two full days.

technically + adjective describing device feature

Ziad's team found the project technically challenging, but they managed to finish it on time.

technically + adjective describing difficulty of work

Common collocations
  • technically advanced
  • technically sophisticated
  • technically complex
  • technically challenging
Synonyms
  • technologically

    narrower — focuses specifically on electronic or digital technology; 'technically' also covers machines and industrial methods

  • mechanically

    limited to machines with moving parts; 'technically' includes broader scientific knowledge

Grammar Patterns

technically + adjective

technically + past participle

Usage Note

Commonly modifies adjectives that describe a feature or quality of a machine, system, or product (e.g. 'technically advanced,' 'technically superior'). Can also modify a past participle (e.g. 'technically sophisticated').

Common Mistakes

This is a technically problem.
This is a technical problem.
'Technically' is an adverb; use 'technical' before a noun.
She is technically engineer.
She works in a technically demanding field.
'Technically' cannot replace 'technical' as an adjective.

3. concerning the hands-on skills and specific methods used in a sport, art, music,

3.adverbB2
Definition

concerning the hands-on skills and specific methods used in a sport, art, music, or profession.

Example

The young pianist played the piece technically well, but her performance lacked warmth and feeling.

technically + adverb, contrast with artistry

Rafael is a technically skilled swimmer who uses very little energy with each stroke.

technically + adjective describing skill level

Common collocations
  • technically skilled
  • technically perfect
  • technically gifted
  • technically difficult
Synonyms
  • in terms of technique

    a longer phrase that means the same thing but is less common in everyday speech

  • skill-wise

    informal and used mainly in spoken English to mean 'regarding skill'

Grammar Patterns

technically + adverb

technically + adjective

Usage Note

Frequently appears in reviews or critiques where the writer separates technical skill from artistic or emotional quality. Often paired with 'but' to contrast mastery of a technique with a less successful aspect of the performance.

Common Mistakes

He is a technically boxer.
He is technically skilled as a boxer.
'Technically' is an adverb and cannot modify a noun directly.
The dance was technical perfect.
The dance was technically perfect.
Use the adverb form to modify the adjective 'perfect'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Strictly speaking' and 'technically' are the closest pair — both introduce statements that follow precise rules. However, 'strictly speaking' is more formal and suggests absolute rule-following, whereas 'technically' leaves room for exceptions in practice. 'In theory' differs by focusing on ideas or principles rather than rules or word meanings — a plan can work 'in theory' but fail 'in practice' without anyone bending a rule. 'Formally' applies only to official or legal situations: a contract is 'formally' valid even if 'technically' unfair. 'Literally' concerns the exact dictionary meaning of a word and is often used for emphasis ('I literally had no idea'), whereas 'technically' allows some flexibility. For example: 'Technically, you can park here on weekends — but strictly speaking, the sign says no parking at any time.'

strictly speaking ↗in theory ↗formally ↗literally ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • technically speaking

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Formed by adding the suffix '-ly' to 'technical', which comes from the Greek word 'tekhnikos' (relating to art or skill). The Greek root 'tekhne' meant 'art, skill, or craft'. The word entered English through Latin 'technicus' and French 'technique'. The sense of 'strictly according to rules' (sense 1) developed in the 1800s from the idea of following technical or specialised definitions precisely.