genetically

IPA/dʒəˈnetɪkli/
KK[dʒənˈɛtɪkli]IPA/dʒəˈnetɪkli/

genetically — adverb

1. relating to the genes that determine a living thing's inherited characteristics,

1.adverbB2
Definition

relating to the genes that determine a living thing's inherited characteristics, or to the study of how these characteristics are passed on

Example

The corn in this field is genetically modified to resist pests without chemicals.

genetically + past participle: genetically modified

Dr. Okafor discovered that Adisa is genetically predisposed to high cholesterol.

genetically + adjective: genetically predisposed

Common collocations
  • genetically modified
  • genetically engineered
  • genetically predisposed
  • genetically determined
  • genetically linked
  • genetically related
  • genetically inherited
Synonyms
  • hereditarily

    more formal and narrower; used specifically for traits passed through family lines

  • by nature

    broader phrase covering both genetic and innate characteristics

Antonyms
  • environmentally

    contrasts nature vs. nurture; 'environmentally acquired' vs 'genetically inherited'

Grammar Patterns

genetically + past participle

genetically + adjective

genetically + verb (passive)

Usage Note

Frequently placed before past participles or adjectives (e.g., modified, predisposed, determined) to indicate that a quality or condition is influenced or caused by a person's genes. Can also modify passive verbs (e.g., is inherited).

Common Mistakes

a genetically disease
a genetic disease
'genetically' is an adverb; use 'genetic' as the adjective form before a noun.
He is generally predisposed to diabetes.
He is genetically predisposed to diabetes.
'generally' means 'usually' or 'in most cases'; 'genetically' means 'by way of genes'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All three expressions relate to qualities a person or organism has from birth, but they differ in scope and register. Genetically is the most precise and commonly used in modern biology and medicine; it refers specifically to DNA and gene sequences. Hereditarily is more formal and focuses on inheritance through family lines — you would use it for a title or condition passed down the family tree. By nature is broader and less scientific; it can describe personality traits or abilities that seem inborn (e.g., 'She is by nature a cautious person'), without necessarily implying genes. In academic writing, genetically is preferred; in everyday conversation, by nature is more natural. Example: 'The crop was genetically engineered for drought resistance' (scientific); 'Lions are by nature territorial animals' (general observation).

genetically ↗hereditarily ↗by nature

Common collocations

Phrases

  • genetically modified
  • genetically engineered
  • genetically predisposed
  • genetically determined
  • genetically linked
  • genetically related
  • genetically inherited

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

Formed by adding the adverb suffix '-ally' to 'genetic'. 'Genetic' comes from 'genesis' (origin), which traces back through Latin to the Greek word 'genesis', meaning 'origin, birth, creation'. The modern scientific use relating to genes dates from the early 20th century.