technicality

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˌtɛk.nɪˈkæl.ə.ti/ UK /ˌtɛk.nɪˈkæl.ə.ti/ See IPA manual

Freq #19982

Meanings

1

noun
a small or specialized rule or detail that can have an important practical consequence

The case was dismissed on a legal technicality rather than on the evidence.
2

noun
a specialized detail or term belonging to a particular subject, profession, or activity

The book explains the mathematical technicalities without assuming advanced training.
3

noun
the quality or state of being technical

The lecture's technicality made it difficult for nonspecialists to follow.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a small or specialized rule... fine pointprocedural detailminor rule

2 noun · a specialized detail or... specialized detailtechnical detail

3 noun · the quality or state of... technicalnessspecialization

Opposites

substancemain issuegenerality

Word family

Forms technicalities

Related forms technical technique technologytechnicalness

Common collocations

legal technicality Adjective + noun

Etymology

Formed from technical + -ity. Technical derives from Ancient Greek technikos ("of art or skill"), from techne ("art, craft, skill"). The common phrase "on a technicality" narrows the word to a procedural detail whose formal effect may outweigh its apparent importance.

Topics

Abstract Ideas

External links

# technicality

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌtɛk.nɪˈkæl.ə.ti/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌtɛk.nɪˈkæl.ə.ti/
**Frequency rank:** 19982

## Meanings
1. a small or specialized rule or detail that can have an important practical consequence
2. a specialized detail or term belonging to a particular subject, profession, or activity
3. the quality or state of being technical

## Examples
- The case was dismissed on a legal technicality rather than on the evidence.
- The book explains the mathematical technicalities without assuming advanced training.
- The lecture's technicality made it difficult for nonspecialists to follow.

## Synonyms
- fine point
- procedural detail
- specialized detail
- technical detail
- technicalness

## Antonyms
- substance
- main issue
- generality

## Related Forms
- technical
- technique
- technology
- technicalness

## Etymology
Formed from technical + -ity. Technical derives from Ancient Greek technikos ("of art or skill"), from techne ("art, craft, skill"). The common phrase "on a technicality" narrows the word to a procedural detail whose formal effect may outweigh its apparent importance.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas

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