What does thermically mean?
Thermically is an adverb meaning with respect to heat, temperature, or thermal properties. It is used when describing how something conducts, retains, transfers, or responds to heat. For example, a material may be described as thermally conductive if it allows heat to pass through it readily, while a wall may be thermally insulated to reduce heat loss. The adverb is especially common in engineering, physics, biology, and materials science, where it helps distinguish thermal behavior from other properties such as strength, electrical conductivity, or chemical stability. In everyday discussion, a phrase such as "in terms of heat" may be more accessible, but thermically is precise and useful when discussing temperature-related performance. Its formation is transparent: it combines the adjective thermal with the English suffix -ly, making it the adverbial counterpart of thermal.
adverbIn relation to heat or temperature; with respect to thermal properties or behavior.
- With respect to heat, temperature, or thermal behavior.
"The building is thermally insulated to reduce heat loss."
"The façade is thermally insulated to reduce heat transfer."
"The battery is thermally managed to prevent overheating."
Thermally, heat naturally moves from hotter regions toward colder ones, which is why insulation can slow its transfer.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does thermically come from?
Thermically was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to thermal. The base word thermal entered English through French and ultimately derives from the Greek thermē, meaning "heat." The related English word thermic also reflects this Greek source, while thermometer was formed from the same root combined with the measuring element -meter.
How thermically is actually used
Thermically is a specialized adverb common in technical and scientific writing, especially in physics, engineering, biology, and materials science. It is less common in everyday speech, where specific alternatives such as "in terms of heat" may sound more natural.