gravitationally
gb/ɡɹˌævɪtˈeɪʃnəli/ us/ɡɹˌævɪtˈeɪʃnəli/
C1
English
a gravitáció hatására, gravitációsan, ellenállhatatlanul
C1
TECHNICAL
1
Usage pattern:
[something] [verb] gravitationally
The two galaxies interact gravitationally, slowly changing each other’s shapes.
A két galaxis a gravitáció hatására kölcsönhat egymással, és lassan megváltoztatják egymás formáját.
Dust and gas attract gravitationally and can eventually form stars.
A porszemcsék és a gázrészecskék a gravitáció hatására vonzzák egymást, és végül csillagokat alkothatnak.
The spacecraft was still gravitationally influenced by Earth even at that distance.
Learner examples
The Moon and Earth pull gravitationally on each other.
A Hold és a Föld a gravitáció hatására vonzzák egymást.
The objects attract gravitationally.
A tárgyak a gravitáció hatására vonzzák egymást.
Common mistake:
Often used in scientific contexts; it does not mean simply “very heavy.”
Meaning
because of the force of gravity
Collocations
attract gravitationally
|interact gravitationally
|pull gravitationally
|be affected gravitationally
|be influenced gravitationally
|be coupled gravitationally
|bind gravitationally
|orbit gravitationally
|gravitationally induced
|gravitationally driven
Synonyms
due to gravity (A common phrase with the same cause-and-effect meaning.)
|
by gravity (A shorter phrase, often used in technical explanations.)
Antonyms
non-gravitationally (Describes effects not involving gravity.)
Themes
physics
|space
|science
Definition
because of gravity; using gravity.
In a way that involves or is caused by gravity; through gravitational force rather than by contact or another force.
C2
LITERARY
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] [be/feel] gravitationally drawn to [someone/something]
She felt gravitationally drawn to the old neighborhood, even after years away.
Úgy érezte, ellenállhatatlanul vonzza a régi környék, még ennyi év távollét után is.
The camera lingers on the doorway, as if the viewer is gravitationally pulled inside.
A kamera elidőzik az ajtónyíláson, mintha a nézőt ellenállhatatlanul befelé húzná valami.
Learner examples
I felt gravitationally drawn to the music.
Úgy éreztem, ellenállhatatlanul vonz a zene.
Common mistake:
This figurative use is uncommon in everyday speech; “strongly drawn” is more natural.
Meaning
irresistibly, as if pulled
Collocations
gravitationally drawn
|gravitationally pulled
|gravitationally attracted
Synonyms
irresistibly (More common and not tied to the gravity metaphor.)
|
magnetically (A similar metaphor for strong attraction.)
Antonyms
indifferently (Suggests no attraction or pull.)
Themes
relationships
|writing
Definition
in a way that feels like a strong pull.
In a way that suggests an irresistible pull or attraction, as if caused by gravity.
Grammar
Dictionary form
gravitationally
IPA
GB/ɡɹˌævɪtˈeɪʃnəli/
US/ɡɹˌævɪtˈeɪʃnəli/
Syllables & stress
grav - it - a - tion - ally (5 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: gravitationally
- Plural: gravitationallies
Word family
Forms
gravitationallies
noun
Core family
gravity
noun B1
gravitational
adjective C1
Related words
gravitate
verb B2
gravitation
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
antigravity
noun
weightless
adjective
Expressions
gravitationally bound
1/ɡɹˌævɪtˈeɪʃnəli bˈaʊnd/
fixed phrase
technical
held together by gravity
staying together because of gravity.
Examples
- The two stars are gravitationally bound and orbit a common center of mass.
- Most of the gas in the cluster is gravitationally bound to the cluster’s dark-matter halo.
Learner examples
- The planets are gravitationally bound to the Sun.
gravitationally challenged
1/ɡɹˌævɪtˈeɪʃnəli t͡ʃˈælɪnd͡ʒd/
fixed phrase
informal
humorous: clumsy or prone to falling
joking way to say “clumsy.”
Examples
- I’m a bit gravitationally challenged, so I avoid high heels.
- He joked that he was gravitationally challenged after tripping over the curb again.
Learner examples
- I am gravitationally challenged, so I walk carefully.
gravitationally lensed
1/ɡɹˌævɪtˈeɪʃnəli lˈɛnst/
fixed phrase
technical
bent by gravity like a lens
its light is bent by gravity.
Examples
- The distant galaxy appears stretched because it is gravitationally lensed by a foreground cluster.
- Several images of the same quasar were seen, gravitationally lensed by an intervening galaxy.