# empirically

/ɛmˈpɪɹɪkəɫi/ (US) · /ɛmpˈɪɹɪkli/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/empirically
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

based on facts or evidence that you can see, hear, or measure. You use this to describe things that are proven by real-world experience rather than just theory.

For teachers: based on or relating to experience and observation rather than theory or pure logic. Often used to describe results that have been verified through scientific testing or data collection.

## Examples

- The results of the experiment were empirically proven.
- The theory was eventually accepted because it was empirically supported by decades of research and observation.
- While the hypothesis was elegant in its simplicity, it failed to hold up empirically when tested against the vast and varied data sets collected by the international research team.

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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.