What does viscerally mean?
Viscerally is an adverb meaning “from the gut,” with the force of an immediate, deeply felt reaction that precedes careful thought. It commonly describes emotional responses, moral judgments, attractions, dislikes, and fears: a person may viscerally reject an argument, feel viscerally drawn to a place, or be viscerally disturbed by a sound. The word suggests that a reaction comes from instinct, bodily experience, or long-held values rather than conscious reasoning. In less frequent or more specialized contexts, viscerally can mean relating to the internal organs or bodily sensations, although visceral is generally preferred in such uses. The expression is especially effective when a writer wants to emphasize the depth and immediacy of a feeling rather than merely describe an opinion.
adverbIn a way that arises from deep instinct, emotion, or bodily intuition rather than conscious reasoning. It can also refer more literally to the internal organs or visceral sensations.
- With deep emotional, instinctive, or intuitive force; from the gut.
- In a manner relating to the internal organs or bodily sensations.
"She viscerally disliked the idea of leaving her family behind."
"The idea of injustice made him viscerally angry."
"The experience was so intense that she felt it viscerally in her body."
Viscerally is the language of the gut: it describes reactions that feel older than thought.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does viscerally come from?
Viscerally was formed in English from the adjective visceral and the adverbial suffix -ly. Visceral derives from Latin visceralis, meaning “of or pertaining to the viscera,” from viscera, the plural of viscus, meaning “internal organ.” English borrowed the adjective during the early 17th century, with its figurative sense developing later.
Related word forms
How viscerally is actually used
The figurative sense is common in descriptive and literary writing and conveys a reaction felt immediately and bodily. The more literal sense is less frequent; for a general reference to internal organs, the adjective visceral is usually more idiomatic.
Easily confused with viscerally
Visceral is an adjective, as in “a visceral reaction,” while viscerally is the adverb form, as in “She reacted viscerally.”