What does “technologically” mean? It’s an adverb that describes something being done through, related to, or made possible by technology — the application of scientific knowledge and tools to practical purposes. When something is described as happening “technologically,” it means technology is the mechanism or context driving that action or change, as opposed to happening through purely manual, natural, or non-technical means.
This guide breaks down the word’s meaning, how it’s typically used, and how it relates to similar terms people often confuse it with.
“Technologically” is the adverb form of “technological,” which itself derives from “technology.” At its root, it describes anything happening by means of, or in relation to, technology. For example, saying a task is “technologically feasible” means it’s possible given current technology, while saying a company is “technologically advanced” means it uses sophisticated or cutting-edge tools and systems relative to others in its field.
It’s easy to blur “technologically” with similar-sounding or related terms, but each has a distinct role in a sentence:
| Word | Part of Speech | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Noun | “New technology emerged this decade.” |
| Technological | Adjective | “This is a major technological breakthrough.” |
| Technologically | Adverb | “The device is technologically impressive.” |
| Technologist | Noun (person) | “She works as a technologist in the lab.” |
The key distinction: “technological” modifies a noun directly (a technological device), while “technologically” modifies a verb, adjective, or entire clause (technologically impressive, technologically capable).
Using “technologically” precisely helps clarify exactly what kind of capability or limitation you’re describing. Saying something is “not possible” is vague, while saying it’s “not technologically possible” specifies that the barrier is technical rather than financial, legal, regulatory, or logistical. This distinction matters in fields like engineering, policy, and business, where the type of constraint directly affects what solution is appropriate.
Understanding “technologically” as a concept connects naturally to broader questions about how technology actually functions and helps in practice. For a deeper look at the practical side of this question, see our guide on how technology actually helps us every day, which covers the concrete, everyday applications behind more abstract terms like this one.
No, though they’re often confused. “Technically” relates to the specific details or precise correctness of something, while “technologically” specifically relates to technology. A statement can be “technically true” without any connection to technology at all.
Yes. It’s commonly used to describe a person’s relationship with technology, such as being “technologically savvy” or “technologically challenged,” referring to their skill or comfort level with technology.
“Technological” is an adjective that directly describes a noun (a technological device), while “technologically” is an adverb that modifies a verb, adjective, or clause (technologically advanced, technologically capable).
“Technologically” is an adverb describing something done through, related to, or enabled by technology, distinct from the adjective “technological” and often confused with the unrelated word “technically.” Using it precisely — technologically feasible, technologically advanced, technologically dependent — helps communicate exactly what kind of technical capability, limitation, or relationship you’re describing, which is especially useful in more technical or professional writing.
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