What does decimally mean?
Decimally is an adverb meaning in decimal form or in relation to decimal notation. It is used when a result, value, operation, or comparison needs to be described through the base-ten fractional system rather than, for example, percentages, fractions, or another representation. A sentence such as “the result is expressed decimally to four places” indicates that the value is written with digits after a decimal point and rounded at the stated precision. The word is especially common in mathematics, computing, data handling, measurement, and finance, where the form of a numerical expression may affect precision or interpretation. It is formal and specialist rather than conversational, and the plainer phrase “in decimal form” can usually replace it in general writing. Although decimally resembles decimate, it does not mean to destroy a large proportion or one person in ten. The word is a natural English derivative of decimal, which in turn comes from the Latin root for ten and tenth.
adverbIn decimal form or according to decimal notation. It describes a value, calculation, or comparison expressed using a decimal point and fractional digits.
- In decimal form or according to decimal notation.
"The conversion table lists the equivalent resistances decimally, with four decimal places."
"The values are stated decimally, with six digits after the decimal point."
"For archival purposes, the probability was written decimally to twelve significant figures."
Decimally means “in decimal form”—no soldiers are involved.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does decimally come from?
The English adjective decimal comes from Latin decimalis, meaning “pertaining to tenths,” a derivative of decimus, “tenth.” The adverb decimally was formed in English by adding the suffix -ly to decimal, expressing the manner of using or presenting something in decimal form. Its Latin relatives include decimate and decimation, both derived from the same root associated with ten and one in ten.
How decimally is actually used
This is a formal and specialist term common in mathematics, computing, data handling, measurement, and finance. In general prose, “in decimal form” is often clearer.
Easily confused with decimally
Decimate is a verb meaning to destroy or reduce drastically, and it historically meant to select one person in ten for execution; decimally is the adverb corresponding to decimal.