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technical

/ˈtek.nɪ.kəl/
IELTSAcademic
adjective

Connected with a special subject, skill, or machine. It often means difficult to understand unless you know that field.

  • She gave a technical explanation of the process.
  • This job needs technical knowledge.
  • The manual uses technical terms.

Adinary Nuance

Technical is narrower than special or detailed. It usually refers to expert language, expert skills, or machines and systems. In many contexts, technical sounds more precise and professional than practical or professional.

In other languages

Vietnamese
kỹ thuật
Spanish
técnico
Chinese
技术的
Japanese
技術的な
Korean
기술적인

Etymology

Technical comes from Greek tekhnikos, from tekhnē, meaning 'art' or 'skill'. It entered English in the 17th century and later became common in science and industry.

Common phrases

technical skillstechnical supporttechnical detailstechnical terms

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is technical formal or informal?
It is fairly formal and common in study, work, and writing.
What is the difference between technical and practical?
Technical means related to expert knowledge or systems. Practical means useful in real life.
Can I say technical problem?
Yes. It usually means a problem with a machine, system, or software.
Is technical used in IELTS writing?
Yes. It is common in academic and formal topics.