What does telepathically mean?
Telepathically is an adverb meaning in a manner involving, or supposedly involving, telepathy. It describes communication that is imagined or claimed to occur through thoughts, impressions, or knowledge rather than through ordinary speech, writing, or other sensory channels. The word is especially common in fiction, fantasy, science fiction, informal conversation, and humorous descriptions of unusually close communication between people. In a sentence such as “The twins seemed to communicate telepathically,” it suggests that one person understood another’s thoughts without an obvious exchange of information. Telepathically is related to the adjective telepathic and the noun telepathy, all of which derive from Greek words associated with distance and feeling. Although the expression can refer to genuine claims of mind-to-mind communication, modern scientific understanding does not provide reliable evidence for telepathy as a general ability.
adverbIn a manner involving or supposedly involving telepathy; by thought communication beyond ordinary sensory perception.
- In the manner of or as if through telepathy.
"The twins seemed to communicate telepathically, finishing each other's sentences before the other began."
"She answered the question telepathically before anyone else had read it aloud."
"The novel imagines a world in which people can communicate telepathically without speaking."
Telepathically comes from Greek roots meaning “far” and “feeling,” a fitting origin for a word associated with reaching across ordinary distance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does telepathically come from?
The word belongs to the family of English telepathy, telepath, and telepathic, which were formed from Greek roots meaning “far” or “distant” and “feeling” or “suffering.” The modern sense developed within the vocabulary of spiritualism, psychology, and early scientific discussion of supposed communication between minds. The adjective telepathic and the adverb telepathically use the same root and reflect the development of telepathy into specialized forms describing a purported ability or manner of communication.
How telepathically is actually used
Telepathically is usually used in fictional, speculative, humorous, or figurative contexts. It can describe actual claimed telepathic communication, but it should not be taken as evidence that such communication has been scientifically established.
Easily confused with telepathically
Telepathically is an adverb describing an action or manner, whereas telepathic is an adjective describing a person, ability, or form of communication.