What does biologically mean?
Biologically is an adverb used to frame a statement in terms of biology — the science of living organisms and their vital processes. It most often modifies adjectives such as 'related', 'active', 'determined', or 'possible', signalling that the claim concerns the body rather than the mind, society, or law: a person may be biologically related to their parents yet raised by others, and a substance may be described as biologically active if it affects cells or tissues. In everyday and scientific usage alike it lends precision and authority, marking a distinction between what living systems actually do and what convention, psychology, or opinion might suggest. The word derives from 'biology', itself rooted in the Greek 'bios' (life) and '-logia' (study), so its meaning has stayed close to its origins: whenever writers need to say 'in the terms of living matter', biologically is the standard choice.
adverbIn a way that relates to biology or to living organisms and their processes; with respect to the biological aspects of something.
- With respect to biology or living organisms and their processes (e.g. biologically related, biologically active).
- In terms of what is possible or characteristic of living things, often in negated or qualified statements (e.g. biologically implausible).
"The twins are biologically related, though they were raised in different countries."
"She is biologically incapable of digesting lactose as an adult."
"The virus remained biologically active even after months in frozen storage."
Add just two letters to 'biology' and you can describe anything from parentage to a zombie's 'biologically impossible' survival — science's favourite qualifier.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of biologically
Biologically is formed from 'biology', a term coined in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries from the Greek roots 'bios' (life) and '-logia' (study of), combined with the English adverbial suffix '-ly'. Its Greek elements give it cognates across modern European languages, including French 'biologique' and German 'biologisch'. The adverb entered regular use alongside the growth of biology as a distinct scientific discipline during the nineteenth century.
Related word forms
How biologically is actually used
Neutral to formal register, common in scientific, medical, and journalistic writing. Frequently appears with 'related', 'active', 'determined', and 'impossible' to specify whether a claim concerns physical life processes rather than social, psychological, or legal matters — e.g. distinguishing a biological parent from an adoptive one.
Easily confused with biologically
Biologically concerns the body and living processes, while psychologically concerns the mind and mental processes.