ecologically

IPA/ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkli/
KK[ikəlˈɑdʒɪkli]IPA/ˌiːkəˈlɑːdʒɪkli/

ecologically — adverb

1. with attention to how the environment works and how living things affect one ano

1.adverbC1
Definition

with attention to how the environment works and how living things affect one another within it.

Example

The hotel was built ecologically, using local wood and solar power.

passive: built ecologically

Adaeze farms ecologically and avoids chemicals near the river.

verb + ecologically for method

Common collocations
  • ecologically sound
  • ecologically sensitive
  • ecologically safer
  • ecologically planned
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

ecologically + adjective

ecologically + past participle

verb + ecologically

Usage Note

Often modifies adjectives or past participles such as safer, sound, or planned. It can also describe actions like farming, building, or town planning when the method aims to protect natural systems.

Common Mistakes

The hotel was ecological built.
The hotel was built ecologically.
put the adverb after the verb phrase, not before the past participle.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Ecologically, environmentally, and sustainably all point to care for the natural world, but they are not identical. Ecologically is the most technical of the three: it focuses on ecosystems and on how living things, land, water, and climate affect one another. Environmentally is broader and more common in public discussion, covering pollution, waste, and rules even when no ecosystem detail is named. Sustainably stresses using resources in a way that can continue over time. A town may expand ecologically by protecting wetlands, act environmentally by cutting plastic waste, and operate sustainably by using less water each year.

ecologically ↗environmentally ↗sustainably

Common collocations

Phrases

  • ecologically sound
  • ecologically sensitive
  • ecologically safer

Etymology

GreekEnglish

Ecologically was formed in English from ecological and the adverb ending -ly. Ecological comes from ecology, a modern scientific word built from Greek oikos, meaning 'house' or 'living place', and logos, meaning 'study' or 'account'. The adverb keeps that idea of looking at how living things relate to the places where they live.