different between empirically vs empirical

English

Etymology

empirical +? -ly

Adverb

empirically (comparative more empirically, superlative most empirically)

1. Based on experience as opposed to theoretical knowledge.

   I have no idea why this works, but empirically, it works.

2. (sciences) Based on data gathered in the real world.

   We need to test this idea empirically instead of just speculating about it.

Translations

English

Etymology

From empiric +? -al.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?m?p???k?l/

Adjective

empirical (comparative more empirical, superlative most empirical)

1. Pertaining to or based on experience (often, in contrast with having a basis in theoretical explanation).

   Antonym: theoretical

   • H. Spencer

     The village carpenter […] lays out his work by empirical rules learnt in his apprenticeship.

2. Pertaining to, derived from, or testable by observations made using the physical senses or using instruments which extend the senses.
3. (philosophy of science) Verifiable by means of scientific experimentation.

   Antonyms: anecdotal, theoretical

Synonyms

• empiric

Antonyms

• nonempirical

Coordinate terms

• conceptual
• theoretical
• anecdotal

Derived terms

Related terms

• empiricism
• empiricist

Translations

See also

• empirical evidence
• anecdotal evidence
• trial and error
• empyrical

Further reading

• empirical in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• empirical in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• empirical at OneLook Dictionary Search
• "empirical" in Raymond Williams, Keywords (revised), 1983, Fontana Press, page 115.