What does judicially mean?
Judicially is a formal adverb meaning in a way connected with judges, courts, or the administration of justice. It is especially common in legal and institutional language, including expressions such as judicial review, judicial proceedings, judicial decision, and judicial ruling. A court may hear a case judicially, a dispute may be settled judicially, or an official decision may be subject to judicial scrutiny. The word is precise rather than emotional: it indicates a legal process, judicial authority, or court-based determination without suggesting that the outcome was necessarily fair or correct. It should not be confused with judiciously, which means wisely and with sound judgement. Although both words belong to the same historical family and preserve the sound of the Latin root for “judge,” their modern uses belong to different contexts: judicially to law and courts, and judiciously to practical wisdom and careful decision-making.
adverbIn a manner relating to judges, courts, or the administration of justice.
- Relating to judges, courts, judicial decisions, or the administration of justice.
"The complaint was referred to an official for judicial review."
"The court ordered that the case be judicially reconsidered."
"The claim was challenged through an application for judicial review."
Judicially belongs to the same ancient legal family as judicious: both trace their roots to the Latin word for a judge.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does judicially come from?
The word belongs to a family that developed from Latin iudicialis, an adjective meaning “pertaining to a judge or judgment.” This form was transmitted into English through French. Its deeper root is the Latin iudex, meaning “judge,” and iudicium, meaning “judgment” or “judicial decision.” Cognates in English include judicious and adjudicate, although their modern meanings have developed in different directions.
Related word forms
How judicially is actually used
This is a formal legal adverb. It is more commonly encountered in fixed expressions such as “judicial review” and “judicial proceedings” than as an independent adverb in everyday speech.
Easily confused with judicially
Judicially means relating to courts or judges, whereas judicious means showing good judgement and practical wisdom.