# technical

/ˈtɛknɪkəɫ/ (US) · /tˈɛknɪkəl/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. specialized knowledge

adjective · CEFR B1 · Academic

relating to a specific subject, art, or craft that needs special knowledge to understand.

For teachers: relating to a particular subject, art, or craft, or its techniques; often implies a level of specialization beyond general knowledge.

- The manual was full of technical words that I didn't understand.
- The report provides a highly technical analysis of the structural failures, requiring a background in civil engineering to fully comprehend.

### 2. related to technology

adjective · CEFR B1

relating to machines, computers, and science.

For teachers: relating to or involving technology, especially in an industrial or scientific context.

- We are having some technical problems with the website today.
- The company is seeking a candidate with strong technical skills to manage their new cloud computing infrastructure.

### 3. strict rules

adjective · CEFR B2

following the exact rules of something, even if it doesn't seem practical.

For teachers: according to a strict interpretation of such rules or facts; often used to contrast a formal truth with a practical reality.

- It was a technical win because the other team arrived five minutes late.
- Although he is the technical owner of the property, his sister has managed all the financial responsibilities for decades.

### 4. armed vehicle

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a pickup truck with a large gun attached to the back.

For teachers: an improvised fighting vehicle, typically a civilian pickup truck modified with a mounted machine gun or anti-aircraft gun.

- The soldiers drove a technical through the desert to guard the border.
- The militia relied heavily on light technicals for mobility across the rugged terrain where heavy tanks could not pass.

### 5. sports penalty

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a foul in basketball for breaking rules that don't involve physical contact.

For teachers: a technical foul; a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct or administrative violations rather than physical contact during play.

- The coach got a technical for shouting at the referee.
- The point guard was assessed a technical after throwing the ball against the stanchion in frustration.

## Examples

- The deal failed because of a small technicality.
- The lawyer managed to get the case dismissed on a legal technicality regarding how the evidence was collected.
- While the project was a success in spirit, it was officially rejected on a minor technicality involving the font size used in the final submission documents.

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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.