WordGarden.ioexperimentally
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɛkspˌɛrɪmˈɛntəli/
US
- /ɪkˌspɛrəˈmɛntəli/
Meanings
Adverb
by experiment or trial, especially as part of research
Beyond the definition
Imagine a chef trying out a new recipe. They do not just assume it will taste good; they test different ingredients and methods until they find what works. That is the essence of "experimentally": doing something by using tests or trials to see how well it works. It often suggests a process of discovery, common in science but also possible in art, business, or everyday life. You might try a new route to work experimentally to see whether it saves time, or an artist might work experimentally with unusual materials.
The word hints at a deliberate attempt to learn through doing, not just blindly following instructions, but actively testing an idea and watching the results. Think of it as "trying something out" for a clear reason. A scientist might say they are "experimentally verifying" a theory, meaning they are running controlled tests to show whether it is true or false.
"Experimentally" describes an action performed through experimentation—a systematic process of trying things out to discover what happens. It implies a structured approach to testing ideas, often with the goal of proving or disproving a hypothesis. While most strongly associated with laboratory research, the term applies to any context where trial and error are used to find a solution.
For example, a new medicine isn't simply distributed to the public; it is administered experimentally during clinical trials to assess its effectiveness and safety. Similarly, an architect might experimentally build a small-scale model of a structure to test its stability before committing to the full design. A musician might experimentally combine different genres or electronic sounds to create a unique composition.
The key is that "experimentally" suggests a deliberate attempt to gather data through observation. It is not about trying things at random; it is about carefully controlling variables and analyzing the results. You will often hear phrases like "experimentally determined," meaning a specific value was found through hands-on testing, or "an experimentally proven method." It implies that the outcome isn't certain beforehand—the very purpose of acting experimentally is to reveal the truth of a situation.
Examples
- 1
Product testing
The new material was tested experimentally before it was used in the factory.
- 2
Medical treatment
So far, the treatment has only been used experimentally in a few hospitals.
- 3
Research evidence
The researchers confirmed experimentally that the two chemicals react at low temperatures.
- 4
Theory vs measurement
The value can be predicted by theory, but it still has to be measured experimentally.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Trial-and-error work
In the early stages, the team worked experimentally, trying different designs and keeping what worked.
- Phraseworked experimentally
developed things by trying them out, not by following a fixed plan
See also
Similar
- empirically
- by experiment
- through testing
Shades of meaning
- tentatively
- in the lab
Contrast
- theoretically
- observationally
Do not confuse
- experientially
Used with (collocations)
- experimentally tested
- experimentally verified
- experimentally determined
- experimentally induced
Word family
Explore
- experimental evidence
- trial and error
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- experimentallyadverb