Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
haptically

haptically

9.9
In a way that uses the sense of touch
  • adverb
  • /ˈhæptɪkli/
  • Specialized
: hápticamente
  • Children often explore their environment haptically, touching objects to learn about their sizes and shapes.

Examples

  • Paper and pencil tests have been used, fMRI has been used to study this, eye-tracking has been used, and congenitally blind men have been shown haptically, by touch, to have a preference of 0.70.

    Academic text (2013)

  • The Archangel's nature of fire and spirit is nonmimetically reproduced and haptically enfigured on the diverse surfaces of this icon.

    Academic text (2006)

  • The artist wanted the sculpture to be haptically engaging, so she designed it to have varied textures.

  • The haptically responsive device allowed users to feel virtual objects, enhancing their interactive experience.

Synonyms

tactilely
vshaptically
1 7.6

By touching something to feel its shape or texture

is the same meaning but differs in word choice or style
tactually
vshaptically
  • Specialized
1 9.9

By feeling things with your hands

is the same meaning but uses a different word form

Antonyms

visually
79 3.5

In a way that can be seen

Surface Forms

haptically positive

Morphology

haptically = haptic (semi-transparent) = haptic + ally

Formed by the adjective 'haptic' plus the adverbial suffix '-ally'—the formation is regular, but 'haptic' is a technical/low-frequency adjective, so learners may not readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

The word haptically comes from an old Greek word hapto meaning 'to touch'. So when something happens haptically it happens 'by touch', like feeling a phone vibration or touching a surface with your fingers.