electronically

Electronically is an adverb formed from electronic, used to indicate that something is done by means of electronics or electronic devices and systems. It is commonly employed to describe actions, processes, or communications that rely on circuitry, computer hardware, or digital signals, rather than purely mechanical methods. Examples include electronically signed documents, electronically transmitted data, and electronically controlled equipment.

While closely related to concepts of electricity, electronically focuses on information processing and device-based operations, whereas electrically refers more broadly to the consumption or supply of electrical power.

The word is created by adding the suffix -ly to the adjective electronic. Its usage expanded with the growth of information technology and digital communications in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and it appears across professional, administrative, and consumer contexts.

Typical examples and collocations include electronically sign, electronically store, electronically publish, electronically monitor, and electronically accessible services. In legal and administrative settings, electronically generated or transmitted records may have specific compliance and security considerations, such as authentication and integrity checks.

See also: electronic, electronics, electric, electrically.