What does ionically mean?
Ionically is chiefly a technical adverb meaning in a way that involves ions or ionic bonding. It is most often used in chemistry to describe how atoms or groups of atoms are joined through the electrostatic attraction between positively and negatively charged particles, rather than by sharing electrons as they do in covalent bonds. For example, a substance may be described as being ionically bound or as forming ionically. In this sense, the adverb is equivalent to wording such as “by ionic attraction” or “in an ionic manner.” The word can also refer, more rarely, to doing something in the manner of ancient Ionic Greek culture, dialect, or architecture. In ordinary contemporary use, however, ionically overwhelmingly belongs to scientific and educational contexts, where it helps distinguish a particular kind of chemical connection from other forms of bonding.
In a manner involving ions or ionic bonding.
"These molecules aggregate ionically when opposite charges become close enough to attract one another."
Chiefly used in chemistry and physics.
In the manner of ancient Ionic Greek dialect, culture, or architecture.
"The inscription was composed ionically rather than in the Doric dialect."
A rare historical or architectural usage.
“Ion” comes from the Greek word for a traveler: ancient thinkers pictured ions as particles wandering through a substance until they joined an oppositely charged partner.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ionically come from?
Ionically is derived from the adjective ionic, which in turn comes from ion. The word ion comes from ancient Greek ἰών (iōn), meaning “going” or “that which goes,” and ultimately from the verb meaning “to go,” a reference to particles wandering through a substance. The modern scientific sense developed during the 19th century as ideas about electrolytic dissociation and charged particles were established.
How ionically is actually used
The chemistry sense is chiefly technical. The historical and architectural sense is uncommon and usually appears in discussions of ancient Greek culture, dialect, or the Ionic architectural order.
Easily confused with ionically
Ionically means in a way involving ions, whereas ironically means in a way that is amusingly contrary to the intended meaning or expectation.