# clinically

/ˈkɫɪnɪkəɫi/ (US) · /klˈɪnɪkli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/clinically
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. medical observation

adverb · CEFR B2 · Technical

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

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

- The new drug has been clinically tested and is safe for human use.
- 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. without emotion

adverb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

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

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

- He described the car accident clinically, as if he were reading a police report.
- The historian analyzed the collapse of the empire clinically, focusing on economic data rather than the human suffering involved.

### 3. medical diagnosis

adverb · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- She was clinically depressed and needed professional help to recover.
- While many people feel sad occasionally, he was diagnosed as clinically obese, requiring a supervised medical intervention.

## Examples

- The patient is clinically stable after surgery.
- Doctors rely on clinically proven methods to treat common infections safely.
- While the theory was elegant, it lacked clinically significant data to support widespread adoption in general practice.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.