electorally

IPA/ɪˈlektərəli/
IPA/ɪˈlektərəli/

electorally — adverb

1. from the point of view of votes, election campaigns, or whether something helps

1.adverbC2
Definition

from the point of view of votes, election campaigns, or whether something helps a side win support.

Example

The tax rise was electorally damaging in the northern towns.

collocation: electorally damaging

Padma said the school bus plan could be electorally popular among parents.

pattern: electorally + adjective

Common collocations
  • electorally damaging
  • electorally popular
  • electorally important
  • electorally costly
Synonyms
  • politically

    broader; can refer to power or government issues beyond elections

  • strategically

    broader; can describe planning aims that are not mainly about votes

Grammar Patterns

electorally + adjective

be electorally + adjective

electorally + important/costly/damaging/popular

Usage Note

Most often used before adjectives such as popular, damaging, costly, and important. It usually judges how a plan or event may affect votes rather than describing politics in general.

Common Mistakes

The plan is electoral useful with older voters.
The plan is electorally useful with older voters.
use the adverb before an adjective when talking about election impact.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Electorally is narrower than politically. Use electorally when the main question is whether something helps or hurts a person or party in getting votes. Politically is broader and can cover power, government decisions, party conflict, or public image even when no election is near. Strategically is broader again: a move may fit a long-term plan but still be electorally costly in the short term. Ideologically points to beliefs or principles rather than vote-winning effect. A leader may choose a reform because it is strategically wise or ideologically consistent, yet still fear that it will be electorally damaging. If you want to stress election consequences, electorally is the most exact choice.

politically ↗strategically ↗ideologically ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • electorally damaging
  • electorally popular
  • electorally important
  • electorally costly

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Electorally was formed in English from electoral and the adverb ending -ly. Electoral is built on elector and ultimately goes back to Latin roots meaning 'choose' or 'pick out'. In modern English the word belongs to the language of voting and elections, so electorally describes something from the viewpoint of election results or campaign success.