What does genitally mean?
Genitally is an English adverb meaning in or relating to the genitals, especially the external reproductive organs or the region in which they are located. It can describe an anatomical location, as in a reference to genitally transmitted infections, or indicate that an action involves genital contact. The word is most common in medical, anatomical, educational, and public-health contexts, where precision is important. In ordinary conversation, alternatives such as 'in the genital area' or 'involving the genitals' may sound more familiar. Genitally should not be confused with 'generally,' which means typically or in a broad sense, or with the adjective 'genital,' which describes something connected with the genitals. Although the word can sound clinical, it is standard in both British and American English and is useful when a statement specifically concerns genital anatomy, health, or contact.
adverbIn or relating to the genitals; concerning the genital region or reproductive organs.
- In or relating to the genitals; concerning the genital region or reproductive organs.
"The clinician explained that the infection had been transmitted genitally."
"The clinician explained that the infection had been transmitted genitally."
"The sculpture depicts two figures touching genitally, though the imagery remains abstract."
Genitally is the precise adverb for when anatomy or public health is unmistakably about the genitals.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does genitally come from?
The adverb genitally was formed in English by adding the suffix -ly to the adjective genital. Genital comes from Latin genitalis, meaning pertaining to natural kind or birth, and ultimately from the Latin gens, meaning kind, family, or race. The resulting English family includes genital, genitals, and genitalia, all of which belong to the same lexical and etymological tradition.
How genitally is actually used
This is a formal, clinical, or anatomical term and is less common in everyday speech than expressions such as 'in the genital area.' In medical and public-health writing, it may sound more precise but can also feel unnecessarily clinical.
Easily confused with genitally
Generally means in a broad or typical sense, whereas genitally refers specifically to the genitals or genital region.
Genital is an adjective describing the genitals or related matters, while genitally is the adverb indicating manner, location, or relation to them.