WordGarden.ioadministratively
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ədmˈɪnɪstrətˌɪvli/
US
- /ædˌmɪnəˈstreɪtɪvli/
Meanings
Adverb
in a way that relates to managing an organization or handling its formal procedures
by administrative action or within government and legal procedure rather than by legislative or judicial action
Beyond the definition
When something happens "administratively," it means it is done through official rules, policies, or procedures—often by an organization or government. Think of a school principal suspending a student administratively—they are using their authority and the school's established rules to take action. It implies a formal, systematic decision rather than a personal one. You might also hear about a legal case being dismissed "administratively," meaning it was handled through internal processes because of a procedural issue (like a missing form), rather than being decided after a hearing or trial. The word hints at following protocol; if a task is being handled this way, it is moving through the "system" rather than through personal favors.
"Administratively" describes how something is managed or executed—specifically, through the machinery of an organization, institution, or governing body. It implies adherence to a set of bylaws, regulations, or "red tape."
You will frequently encounter it in legal and business contexts to distinguish an action from a judicial ruling. For example, "The employee was terminated administratively." This implies the firing followed a strict HR process and handbook rules, rather than being a spontaneous emotional decision. Similarly, if a permit is denied "administratively," it often means the denial was based on a procedural failure (like not paying a fee) rather than the legal merits of the project.
There is also a second, very common use case regarding geography and organization. You might read, "The country is divided administratively into ten provinces." Here, it describes how the region is mapped out for the purpose of governance and management.
Relatedly, two places can be physically close but administratively separate—meaning they answer to different offices, jurisdictions, or sets of rules.
So, if you hear that a problem is being resolved "administratively," picture a system of rules, clerks, and procedures being followed—an official, by-the-book way of getting things done.
Examples
- 1
Regional government
Although the town is closer to the capital, it is administratively part of another region.
- 2
Separate institutions
The hospital and the medical school work closely together, but they are administratively separate.
- Phraseadministratively separate
officially managed as different organizations
- 3
Reporting structure
After the merger, both offices were placed administratively under one director.
- 4
University structure
The program is small academically, but administratively it belongs to the business school.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Manual processing
It would be administratively difficult to handle every request by hand.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- procedurally
- bureaucratically
- officially
Contrast
- informally
- substantively
Used with (collocations)
- administratively responsible
- administratively separate
- administratively feasible
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- administrativelyadverb