Is Locationally a word?

Is “Locationally” a Word? Let’s Get Real.

So, “locationally”… is it actually a word? You might stumble across it and think, “Huh, is that even a thing?” The truth is, yeah, it is! It might not be the first word that springs to mind, but it’s a perfectly valid adverb, even if it’s not exactly lighting up the charts in everyday conversation.

Basically, “locationally” is all about where something is. It describes how something relates to a specific place or position. Think of it as being “location-aware,” but in adverb form. As the New Generation Dictionary puts it, it’s an adverb that has to do with the concept of location, describing actions or characteristics related to specific spots or arrangements. You’ll often see it pop up when people are talking about geography, spatial relationships, or even mapping things out.

Where does this word even come from? Well, it’s pretty straightforward. It’s built on the word “location,” which itself comes from the Latin “locatio,” meaning a placing or position. Then you slap on that “-ally” suffix, which basically means “in a manner of” or “related to.” So, put it all together, and “locationally” means, well, related to location! Makes sense, right?

Okay, so it’s technically a word, but how do you actually use it? Good question! While it might not be something you’d casually drop into a chat with your friends, you’ll find it in more formal writing, like academic papers or professional reports. Here are a few examples to give you a better idea:

• “The animals are spread locationally across the tropical parts of the world.”
• “The marketing folks decided to target their ads locationally, zoning in on cities packed with their ideal customers.”
• “There were over sixty locationally different neighborhood groups in the city.”
• “Oil companies are starting to look at different areas, both newer types of resources and also locationally.”
• “The insurance sector is less inclined to relocate because it is ‘locationally sensitive’, with business carried out face to face.”

See how it works? It’s all about describing something in terms of its position or the implications of where it is.

Now, if you’re not feeling the “locationally” vibe, there are other options. Some similar words you could use include “spatially,” “geographically,” or even just “locally,” depending on the situation. On the flip side, if you want to say something is not related to a specific location, you could use words like “non-spatially” or even “abstractly.”

And hey, if you’re still not convinced it’s a “real” word, check out the dictionaries! Cambridge, Collins, Merriam-Webster… they all list “locationally.” That’s gotta count for something, right?

One last thing to keep in mind: don’t confuse “locationally” with “locational.” “Locational” is an adjective, meaning “of or relating to location,” while “locationally” is our adverb. So, you might talk about a “locational advantage,” but you’d analyze data “locationally.” Got it?

So, there you have it. “Locationally” is a word. It might not be the flashiest or most common word in the English language, but it’s a perfectly legitimate way to describe something in relation to a specific place. So go ahead, use it! Impress your friends! Or, you know, just file it away in your mental dictionary for that one perfect moment when “locationally” is exactly the word you need.