What does executively mean?
Executively is an adverb meaning at the level of an executive or in the characteristic manner of senior management. It may indicate that a decision, appointment, or operation is handled directly by an executive rather than through a broader process. In this use, the word often carries a formal, corporate tone and can suggest speed, authority, or a preference for decisive managerial action. It can also describe the way in which someone exercises leadership, especially when emphasizing direct control or an executive perspective. Because the adverb can sound compressed or jargonistic, writers often prefer clearer alternatives such as “at executive level,” “by an executive,” or “in the manner of senior management.” The word is useful when the precise status, source, or style of an action matters: a funding decision made executively, for example, differs from one made collectively. Its unusual ending also makes it readily recognizable in formal business, legal, and administrative prose.
adverbAt the level of an executive or with executive authority. Also, in a decisive, authoritative, or managerial manner characteristic of an executive.
- At the level of an executive or in an executive capacity.
- In an authoritative, decisive, or managerial manner characteristic of an executive.
"The decision will be made executively, so the committee will not be required to vote on it."
"The appointment will be made executively, with the final decision resting entirely with senior management."
"The company is executively owned by its three founders."
Executively does double duty: it can place an action at the top of an organization or characterize its decisive, managerial style.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does executively come from?
Executively was formed in English by adding the suffix -ly to executive. Executive descends from Latin executivus, an adjective meaning “performing or carrying out,” which is related to exsequi, “follow out, execute,” and also lies behind English relatives such as execute, execution, and executor.
Related word forms
How executively is actually used
This is a formal and relatively uncommon word that can sound compressed or jargonistic. In many contexts, phrases such as “at executive level,” “by an executive,” or “in the manner of senior management” are clearer.
Easily confused with executively
Executive is normally a noun or adjective, whereas executively is an adverb indicating executive level, authority, or manner.