English Reference
adverb

clinically

adv.
US /ˈkɫɪnɪkəɫi/ UK /klˈɪnɪkli/ clin·i·cal·ly

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Medicine

    in a way that relates to the observation and treatment of patients in a hospital or clinic.

    relating to the observation and treatment of actual patients rather than theoretical or laboratory studies.

    Simple

    The new drug has been clinically tested and is safe for human use.

    In context

    The patient was clinically stable throughout the night, though nursing staff remained vigilant for any respiratory distress.

    Usage

    Often used to modify adjectives like 'proven', 'tested', or 'depressed'.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced AcademicFormal

    doing something in a very cold, logical way without showing any feelings.

    in an analytical, detached, or dispassionate manner that avoids emotional involvement.

    Simple

    He described the car accident clinically, as if he were reading a police report.

    In context

    The historian analyzed the collapse of the empire clinically, focusing on economic data rather than the human suffering involved.

    dispassionatelyanalyticallycoldly
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    used to say that a condition is serious enough to be officially diagnosed by a doctor.

    to a degree that is observable or significant enough to require medical treatment or diagnosis.

    Simple

    She was clinically depressed and needed professional help to recover.

    In context

    While many people feel sad occasionally, he was diagnosed as clinically obese, requiring a supervised medical intervention.

London’s ultra-low emission zone was accompanied by an improvement in children’s lung health and fewer children with clinically impaired lung function.

The Guardian· 21 Aug 2026

McWilliams says her potassium levels were “clinically noted” but she did not present as having death cap mushroom poisoning after the meal.

The Guardian· 20 Aug 2026

From clinical + -ly.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated