What does digitally mean?
"Digitally" is an adverb describing actions performed by means of digital technology — that is, using electronic systems that represent information as binary data. It covers everything from storing photographs on a computer to streaming films, signing documents electronically, and communicating online. The word is ubiquitous in modern English because so much daily life now happens through screens and networks: music is digitally remastered, contracts are digitally signed, and entire archives are digitally preserved. It carries no strong connotation of its own, though phrases like "digitally native" (describing people who grew up with the internet) have given it cultural weight. Derived from "digital," which ultimately comes from the Latin digitus, meaning "finger" — a reminder that counting, humanity's first computing, began on the hand. As an adverb, it typically modifies verbs such as record, access, transform, and deliver, making it one of the most practical words for describing how contemporary tasks are accomplished.
adverbIn a way that relates to or uses digital technology, especially computers and electronic devices. By means of computerized or electronic representation of data rather than analog or physical formats.
- In a manner involving or relating to digital technology or computers.
- By means of electronic signals represented as binary data (as opposed to analog).
"The entire archive has been digitally preserved so researchers can access it from anywhere in the world."
"The concert was streamed digitally to millions of viewers around the globe."
"Old film reels were digitally scanned frame by frame to create high-resolution copies."
Every time you stream a song, you're hearing it 'digitally' — but the word traces back to the Latin digitus, meaning 'finger,' because counting began on our hands.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of digitally
"Digitally" derives from "digital," which comes from the Latin digitus meaning "finger" or "toe." Because humans first counted on their fingers, digitus came to mean "numeral," and by the mid-20th century "digital" described computing technologies that process discrete numerical data rather than continuous analog signals. The adverb "digitally" emerged alongside this technological shift and spread rapidly with the rise of personal computers and the internet. Related words sharing the same root include "digit," "digitize," and even "prestidigitation," which preserves the original sense of nimble fingers.
Related word forms
How digitally is actually used
Neutral in register; common in both formal and informal contexts. Frequently used in technical, business, and media language. Often paired with verbs like sign, remaster, store, preserve, and connect.
Easily confused with digitally
While both can suggest something done via computers, 'virtually' more often means 'almost' or 'in effect,' whereas 'digitally' specifically refers to electronic or computer-based methods.