What does electrically mean?
"Electrically" is an adverb meaning by means of electricity or in relation to electrical phenomena. It attaches most often to participles: a device may be electrically powered, two components may be electrically connected or isolated, and an object may be electrically charged or neutral. In technical writing it serves a precise function, distinguishing systems that run on electric current from those driven mechanically, hydraulically, or chemically — an electrically operated door opens via a motor rather than by hand or compressed air. The word carries no emotional connotation; it belongs to the plain, functional register of science and engineering prose, though it appears routinely in everyday contexts such as appliance manuals and product specifications. It derives from "electric," which traces back through New Latin electricus to the Greek elektron, meaning amber — the substance whose static attraction first gave electricity its name. For anyone describing how modern machines work, "electrically" is the standard, unambiguous choice.
adverbIn a manner relating to or using electricity; by means of electric power or an electrical process.
- By means of, in terms of, or in relation to electricity (e.g. electrically powered, electrically charged).
"The gates are electrically operated, so they open at the press of a button."
"The entire building is heated and cooled electrically."
"The two terminals are electrically isolated from each other to prevent a short circuit."
Every time you flip a switch, you're relying on a word coined centuries before anyone could actually generate usable current — "electric" originally just described amber's knack for attracting dust after being rubbed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of electrically
"Electrically" is formed from the adjective "electric" plus the adverbial suffix -ly. "Electric" comes from the New Latin electricus, coined in the early seventeenth century by William Gilbert from the Greek elektron, meaning amber, whose rubbed surface famously attracts light objects — the phenomenon that gave the field its name. As the study of electricity developed, "electrically" emerged naturally to describe actions and states involving this new force, and it remains firmly tied to scientific and technical usage today.
How electrically is actually used
A neutral, technical adverb common in engineering, physics, and product descriptions. It frequently modifies participles such as charged, powered, connected, and insulated, where it specifies that electricity — rather than some other means — is involved.
Easily confused with electrically
"Electrically" refers specifically to electricity as a power source or conductor, while "electronically" refers to devices and circuits built from electronic components like transistors and microchips.