clinically
clinically — adverb
1. based on direct observation and care of real patients by a trained doctor, rathe
based on direct observation and care of real patients by a trained doctor, rather than on theory or lab results.
Dr. Imran is clinically trained to recognize early signs of skin cancer in older patients.
clinically + past participle: 'clinically trained'
The new drug has been clinically tested on more than four thousand volunteers in Taipei hospitals.
passive: 'has been clinically tested'
Roya treats each patient clinically, asking about symptoms before ordering any blood tests.
Nurses are taught to assess wounds clinically at the bedside, not only by reading lab reports.
- medically
broader; covers any aspect of medical science, not only hands-on patient care
- diagnostically
narrower; focuses on the act of identifying a disease
- theoretically
based on ideas rather than direct patient contact
文法句型
clinically + past participle
clinically + adjective
用法筆記
Subject is usually a doctor, nurse, drug, procedure, or training programme. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about how a medical professional examines or handles a patient; sense 2 is about findings produced by a formal trial.
常見錯誤
2. as confirmed by the results of a formal medical trial or study, often used to cl
as confirmed by the results of a formal medical trial or study, often used to claim that a product really works.
This face cream is clinically proven to reduce wrinkles after eight weeks of daily use.
collocation: 'clinically proven'
Paul's allergy turned out to be clinically significant, so the doctor changed his treatment plan.
collocation: 'clinically significant'
The vaccine was clinically shown to lower the risk of severe illness in elderly people.
Doctors say Talia is clinically obese, but she feels healthy and walks five kilometres each morning.
- scientifically
broader; covers any scientific evidence, not only medical trials
- medically
general medical context; less tied to formal trial evidence
- anecdotally
based on personal stories rather than trial data
文法句型
clinically + adjective
clinically + past participle
用法筆記
Frequently passive and very common in marketing claims (clinically proven, clinically tested) and in medical labels (clinically depressed, clinically obese). Distinguish from sense 1: here the focus is on what a study or measurement shows, not on the hands-on act of treating a patient.
常見錯誤
3. in a calm, distant way that shows no warm feelings or pity, as if you were study
in a calm, distant way that shows no warm feelings or pity, as if you were studying an object instead of caring about a person.
The judge listened clinically as Tomás described the long fight to get his children back.
verb + clinically: emotional detachment in listening
Henrik spoke clinically about his father's funeral, almost as though it had happened to a stranger.
verb + clinically with a personal, emotional topic
The detective examined the crime scene clinically, taking notes without any visible shock.
Élise found her boss's emails strangely clinically worded, even when a colleague had just lost a parent.
- coldly
more directly about lack of warmth in tone
- dispassionately
more neutral; suggests fairness rather than coldness
- detachedly
emphasises mental distance rather than coldness
- warmly
with open, friendly feelings
- sympathetically
showing that you share another person's feelings
文法句型
verb + clinically
clinically + adjective
用法筆記
Usually negative in feel — suggests the speaker thinks more warmth would have been appropriate. Distinguish from senses 1 and 2: those are about real medicine; this is a figurative use about emotional distance, often in critical descriptions of people's behaviour.
常見錯誤
4. describing a place that feels too plain, white, or empty, so it gives no sense o
describing a place that feels too plain, white, or empty, so it gives no sense of warmth or comfort — like the inside of a hospital.
The new café looked clinically white, with bare walls, metal chairs, and no soft lighting at all.
clinically + adjective of colour or appearance
Pim's apartment in Bangkok feels clinically tidy, almost like a showroom no one really lives in.
clinically + adjective describing a home
The hotel lobby was clinically lit, with bright white tubes that made every face look pale.
Felix complained that his new office was decorated clinically, with grey walls and no plants or pictures.
文法句型
clinically + adjective
verb + clinically
用法筆記
Typically used to criticise interiors, lighting, or design that feels too bare, bright, or hospital-like. Distinguish from sense 3: that sense is about a person's manner; this sense is about a place's look or atmosphere.