What does empirically mean?
"Empirically" is a formal adverb meaning "in a way based on observation, experiment, or direct experience rather than on theory or speculation." When a claim is established empirically, it rests on measurable evidence — collected through experiments, trials, surveys, or systematic observation — rather than on logical argument alone. The word is at home in scientific and academic prose: researchers might report that a drug's safety has been empirically confirmed, that a model's predictions were empirically validated, or that a hypothesis remains empirically untested. Its connotations are strongly positive in intellectual contexts, signaling rigor, objectivity, and respect for evidence over authority or intuition. Derived from Greek roots relating to experience, it pairs naturally with verbs such as shown, proven, demonstrated, tested, and verified. Anyone writing about science, policy, or evidence-based reasoning will find "empirically" indispensable for distinguishing what has actually been observed from what is merely assumed.
adverbIn a manner based on observation, experiment, or direct experience rather than on theory or pure logic. By means of, or as established by, empirical evidence.
- In a way that is based on observation, experiment, or verifiable experience rather than theory or speculation.
- By means of empirical methods; in terms of what the evidence shows.
"The effectiveness of the new drug was empirically demonstrated in a series of clinical trials."
"The researchers showed empirically that sleep deprivation impairs memory consolidation."
"Rather than debating the question philosophically, she approached it empirically, gathering data from hundreds of field sites."
Every time a scientist says a claim was 'shown empirically,' they're invoking a word that traces back to ancient Greek physicians who learned medicine by trial and error rather than by theory — the original 'see it to believe it' crowd.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of empirically
"Empirically" derives from "empirical," which comes from Latin "empiricus" and ultimately from the Greek "empeirikos," formed from "en" (in) plus "peira" (trial or experience). In ancient Greek medicine, the Empiric school held that knowledge should come from observed experience rather than theoretical reasoning, giving the term its enduring association with evidence-based inquiry. English adopted "empirical" in the 17th century, with "empirically" developing alongside it as its adverbial form.
Related word forms
How empirically is actually used
Register: formal and academic. The word belongs chiefly to scientific, philosophical, statistical, and scholarly writing, and carries a connotation of rigor — an 'empirical' claim is one backed by data. It contrasts implicitly with claims justified by intuition, authority, or pure reasoning.
Easily confused with empirically
'Empiric' can be a noun meaning a quack or unqualified medical practitioner (a historical sense), whereas 'empirically' is purely an adverb describing reliance on observed evidence.