# statistically

/stəˈtɪstɪkəɫi/ (US) · /stɐtˈɪstɪkli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/statistically
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. based on data

adverb · CEFR B2 · Academic

in a way that relates to the study of numbers and data.

For teachers: with respect to the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of numerical data.

- The two groups were statistically similar in age and income.
- The researchers found that the two patient cohorts were statistically indistinguishable across all primary demographic variables.

Usage: Often used to modify adjectives like 'significant', 'similar', or 'different' in research contexts.

### 2. according to probability

adverb · CEFR B2 · Academic

used to say that something is likely or unlikely based on facts and patterns.

For teachers: according to the laws of probability or the evidence provided by a large sample of data.

- Statistically, flying is much safer than driving a car.
- Statistically speaking, the likelihood of a catastrophic failure is negligible when compared to the risks associated with daily industrial operations.

Usage: Frequently appears at the beginning of a sentence to frame the following statement as a fact based on probability.

## Examples

- The two groups are statistically identical in their performance.
- Researchers found that the new medicine was statistically more effective than the old one during the clinical trials.
- While the raw numbers suggest a slight improvement, the sample size is too small for the results to be considered statistically significant by the 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.