cardinally

Cardinally is an adverb formed from the adjective cardinal. It is used to describe actions, characteristics, or statements in a way that relates to cardinal senses—those of central importance, of cardinal numbers, or of cardinal directions—or, less commonly, to the rank of cardinal in the Catholic Church. In modern English, the usage is rare and may sound formal or literary.

Most contemporary writers express these ideas with phrases such as “in a cardinal sense” or “fundamentally” rather than “cardinally.” When used, it often emphasizes fundamental or pivotal quality rather than numerical or navigational senses; for example, “the decision was cardinally important to the agreement.”

Etymology and sense development: the adjective cardinal derives from Latin cardinalis, from cardo “hinge,” with the sense of something hinge-like or principal. The figurative extension to “central, principal” led to senses involving cardinal numbers (counting), cardinal directions (north, south, east, west), and, in a separate domain, the rank of a church official. The adverbial form “cardinally” follows standard English morphology from the adjective.

Usage notes: because “cardinally” is uncommon, it is typically confined to formal, scholarly, or literary contexts. In ordinary prose, writers choose alternatives such as fundamentally, centrally, primarily, or in a cardinal sense to convey a similar emphasis without potential awkwardness.

See also cardinal, cardinal numbers, cardinal directions, cardinal virtues, and ecclesiastical cardinal.