clinically

Everyday

1. Clinically means in a medical way, as judged by doctors examining patients: «clinically tested», «clinically proven». tree →
2. Clinically can mean in a cold, calm, unemotional way, like a hospital. tree →
3. (sport, informal) Clinically means very efficiently and accurately: «He finished clinically.» tree →

In the lessons

In health and science lessons «clinically tested» means a product or medicine was tried on people in a careful study; adverts use «clinically proven» to sound trustworthy, so it is wise to ask what was tested. «Clinically obese» or «clinically depressed» are medical terms. In football reports a striker who scores calmly «finished clinically». Phrases: clinically proven, clinically tested, clinically dead.

Examples

• The cream has been clinically tested on sensitive skin. tree →
• Doctors said the boy was clinically well and could go home. tree →
• The advert said the toothpaste was «clinically proven», but we wanted to see the evidence. tree →
• The room was clinically clean and white. tree →
• She explained the facts clinically, without any emotion. tree →
• The striker finished clinically into the corner of the net. tree →
• Clinically depressed means a doctor has diagnosed depression. tree →

Note

From clinic and clinical (+ -ly). Do not confuse with «cynically». In media literacy: «clinically proven» in an advert does not always mean a big, fair study.