digitally
digitally — adverb
1. by turning sound, pictures, or text into a code made up of 1s and 0s so that ele
by turning sound, pictures, or text into a code made up of 1s and 0s so that electronic equipment can store and read it
Omar recorded the interview digitally on his phone instead of using tape.
digitally + record (capturing media in binary form)
The old photographs were scanned digitally and saved onto a hard drive.
Chioma prefers to store all her research notes digitally in cloud folders.
The entire library catalogue was converted digitally during the renovation project.
Sound engineers captured the orchestra's performance digitally with high-end microphones.
- electronically
broader term covering any electronic method, not just binary storage
- in binary
more technical; refers specifically to the 1-and-0 representation
用法筆記
Emphasises the storage format — information is kept as binary code rather than on physical media like tape or film. Distinguish from sense 2 (USING COMPUTERS), which focuses on the method of doing something rather than how data is represented.
2. done with computers, smartphones, or other electronic equipment rather than by h
done with computers, smartphones, or other electronic equipment rather than by hand, on paper, or in person
Ingrid submitted her visa application digitally through the government website.
digitally + submit (sending documents via computer)
Most people now pay their bills digitally rather than sending cheques by post.
The students collaborated digitally on the project while living in different cities.
Ananya booked the entire holiday digitally and never spoke to a travel agent.
The hospital now shares test results digitally with patients within twenty-four hours.
- electronically
very similar; 'electronically' is more common when talking about sending or submitting things
- online
specifically means connected to the internet, while 'digitally' can include offline computer use
- via computer
more explicit about the tool used
用法筆記
Focuses on the method or channel — doing something via computer rather than on paper or face-to-face. Distinguish from sense 1 (IN BINARY FORM), which is about how data is encoded and stored.
常見錯誤
3. appearing as numbers, letters, or pictures on an electronic screen rather than p
appearing as numbers, letters, or pictures on an electronic screen rather than printed on paper or shown by a physical dial or needle
Kwame adjusted the temperature digitally using the touch panel on the wall.
digitally + adjust (controlling via electronic display)
The car's speed appeared digitally in bright red numbers above the steering wheel.
Valeria checked her heart rate digitally on the watch during her morning run.
The artist's sketches were presented digitally on a large screen at the gallery entrance.
Hugo monitored his electricity usage digitally through an app on his tablet.
- electronically
broader; 'electronically' does not necessarily imply a visual display
- on a display
more specific about the visual output being on a screen
digitally — adjective
1. using computer technology and storing information as electronic signals or binar
using computer technology and storing information as electronic signals or binary data, rather than in physical form
Fatima bought a digital camera that stores photos on a small memory card.
digital + camera (electronic device using binary storage)
The company switched from paper files to a digital record system last spring.
Wen reads digital books on her tablet because she can adjust the text size.
The digital clock on the kitchen wall showed the time in large green numbers.
Most teenagers spend hours each day on digital platforms like social media and games.
- electronic
very close in meaning; 'electronic' can refer to any device using circuits, while 'digital' specifically implies binary data
- computerised
emphasises that a process or system is run by computers
- computer-based
highlights the central role of a computer in the system
- analogue
the opposite technology: using continuous physical signals rather than binary code
用法筆記
The most common sense of 'digital' in everyday English. It covers nearly everything that involves computers, the internet, or electronic data. Distinguish from sense 2 (NUMERICAL DISPLAY), which is specifically about showing readings as numbers.
常見錯誤
2. showing a measurement or piece of information as a row of numbers (such as 36.6)
showing a measurement or piece of information as a row of numbers (such as 36.6) rather than by a moving needle or pointer on a numbered scale
The nurse checked Diego's temperature on the digital thermometer and noted the reading.
digital + thermometer (measuring device with number display)
A digital scale in the bathroom shows your weight to one decimal place.
Noam set the digital timer on the oven to exactly forty-five minutes.
The petrol station's digital price board flickered and reset at midnight.
Audrey relied on the digital speedometer because the old needle one was broken.
- numeric
more narrowly about the use of numbers; 'digital display' is the more common collocation
- electronic
wider term; an electronic display might use symbols or graphics, not just numbers
- analogue
a display with a moving needle that points to numbers on a dial
用法筆記
This sense contrasts specifically with analogue displays (ones with a moving needle). It describes the type of readout, not the underlying technology. Many digital-display devices also fit sense 1, but this sense highlights how the information is shown to the user.
3. involving counting or calculation with whole, separate steps rather than measuri
involving counting or calculation with whole, separate steps rather than measuring continuous quantities that flow without breaks
The engineer used digital calculations to model how the bridge would handle strong winds.
digital + calculations (computation in discrete steps)
In a digital simulation, continuous sound waves are broken into tiny separate samples.
Digital processing allowed the team to filter out background noise from the recording.
The weather forecast relies on digital models that divide the atmosphere into grid cells.
Digital control systems in the factory adjust the machines with precise step-by-step signals.
- analogue
processing continuous, unbroken signals rather than discrete steps
用法筆記
Technical sense used in engineering and computing. The key idea is working with separate, countable units rather than smooth, unbroken signals. This is the mathematical principle behind all modern digital technology.
4. having to do with the digits of the hand or foot; performed with a finger
having to do with the digits of the hand or foot; performed with a finger
The surgeon's digital pressure on the wound stopped the bleeding within seconds.
digital + pressure (medical: applied with the fingers)
Some species of monkey have highly developed digital pads for gripping branches.
Dr. Okafor tested the patient's digital reflexes by tapping each fingertip lightly.
Damage to the digital nerves can cause numbness in the tips of the fingers.
用法筆記
Restricted almost entirely to medical and anatomical contexts. In everyday English, always use 'finger' or 'toe' instead. This sense comes from the original Latin meaning of 'digitus' (finger or toe) and predates the computing meaning by centuries.
常見錯誤
digitally — noun
1. photographs, music, films, or documents kept as computer files rather than on pa
photographs, music, films, or documents kept as computer files rather than on paper, tape, or film; also the business that produces and sells such material
The photographer sold his digitals to the magazine for the cover story.
After the wedding, the couple received all the digitals on a USB stick.
digitals as photographs delivered after an event
Eleanor backed up all her digitals before deleting the originals from her phone.
The agency specialises in converting old film negatives into high-quality digitals.
- digital files
more explicit about the format; 'digitals' is a shorter industry term
- digital media
broader term covering all types of content, not just photographs
用法筆記
Often used in the plural ('digitals'), especially in photography and media contexts. When used as a singular industry term, it refers to the digital-media sector as a whole.
常見錯誤
2. a piece of equipment, such as a camera, clock, or music player, that works using
a piece of equipment, such as a camera, clock, or music player, that works using computer technology rather than mechanical parts
The store had a whole aisle dedicated to digitals like smart speakers and tablets.
digitals as consumer electronic devices
His grandmother struggled with modern digitals and preferred her old radio.
Sales of home digitals rose sharply during the lockdown as people stayed indoors.
The repair shop fixes all kinds of digitals from phones to gaming consoles.
- electronic device
wider category; includes both digital and analogue equipment
- gadget
informal; a small, clever electronic tool or device
用法筆記
Used in the plural to refer to a category of products. This is an industry and retail term. Most speakers would simply name the specific device (phone, tablet, camera) rather than using the umbrella term 'digitals'.
3. a finger or a toe — one of the five separate parts at the end of the hand or foo
a finger or a toe — one of the five separate parts at the end of the hand or foot
The anatomy textbook labelled each digital with its medical name and nerve supply.
Severe frostbite can lead to the loss of one or more digitals on the feet.
The baby gripped his mother's hand with all five digitals curled tightly around her thumb.
In medical notes, the doctor recorded a fracture to the third digital of the left hand.
用法筆記
Strictly anatomical or medical. Never used in everyday conversation — say 'finger' or 'toe' instead. This sense reflects the original Latin 'digitus' and is the oldest meaning of the word.