hypothesis

[ hahy-poth-uh-sis, hi- ]

noun

, plural hy·poth·e·ses [hahy-, poth, -, uh, -seez, hi-].

1. a proposition, or set of propositions, set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena, either asserted merely as a provisional conjecture to guide investigation working hypothesis or accepted as highly probable in the light of established facts.
2. a proposition assumed as a premise in an argument.
3. the antecedent of a conditional proposition.
4. a mere assumption or guess.

hypothesis

/ haɪˈpɒθɪsɪs /

noun

1. a suggested explanation for a group of facts or phenomena, either accepted as a basis for further verification ( working hypothesis ) or accepted as likely to be true Compare theory
2. an assumption used in an argument without its being endorsed; a supposition
3. an unproved theory; a conjecture

hypothesis

/ hī-pŏth′ĭ-sĭs /

, Plural hypotheses hī-pŏth′ĭ-sēz′

1. A statement that explains or makes generalizations about a set of facts or principles, usually forming a basis for possible experiments to confirm its viability.

hypothesis

1. plur. hypotheses (heye- poth -uh-seez) In science, a statement of a possible explanation for some natural phenomenon. A hypothesis is tested by drawing conclusions from it; if observation and experimentation show a conclusion to be false, the hypothesis must be false. ( See scientific method and theory .)

Derived Forms

• hyˈpothesist, noun

Other Words From

• hy·pothe·sist noun
• counter·hy·pothe·sis noun plural counterhypotheses
• subhy·pothe·sis noun plural subhypotheses

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypothesis¹

First recorded in 1590–1600, hypothesis is from the Greek word hypóthesis “basis, supposition”; hypo-, thesis

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypothesis¹

C16: from Greek, from hupotithenai to propose, suppose, literally: put under; see hypo- , thesis

Usage

The words hypothesis, law, and theory refer to different kinds of statements, or sets of statements, that scientists make about natural phenomena. A hypothesis is a proposition that attempts to explain a set of facts in a unified way. It generally forms the basis of experiments designed to establish its plausibility. Simplicity, elegance, and consistency with previously established hypotheses or laws are also major factors in determining the acceptance of a hypothesis. Though a hypothesis can never be proven true (in fact, hypotheses generally leave some facts unexplained), it can sometimes be verified beyond reasonable doubt in the context of a particular theoretical approach. A scientific law is a hypothesis that is assumed to be universally true. A law has good predictive power, allowing a scientist (or engineer) to model a physical system and predict what will happen under various conditions. New hypotheses inconsistent with well-established laws are generally rejected, barring major changes to the approach. An example is the law of conservation of energy, which was firmly established but had to be qualified with the revolutionary advent of quantum mechanics and the uncertainty principle. A theory is a set of statements, including laws and hypotheses, that explains a group of observations or phenomena in terms of those laws and hypotheses. A theory thus accounts for a wider variety of events than a law does. Broad acceptance of a theory comes when it has been tested repeatedly on new data and been used to make accurate predictions. Although a theory generally contains hypotheses that are still open to revision, sometimes it is hard to know where the hypothesis ends and the law or theory begins. Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, for example, consists of statements that were originally considered to be hypotheses (and daring at that). But all the hypotheses of relativity have now achieved the authority of scientific laws, and Einstein's theory has supplanted Newton's laws of motion. In some cases, such as the germ theory of infectious disease, a theory becomes so completely accepted, it stops being referred to as a theory.

Synonym Study

See theory.

Example Sentences

Each one is a set of questions we’re fascinated by and hypotheses we’re testing.

From Quartz

Mousa’s research hinges on the “contact hypothesis,” the idea that positive interactions among rival group members can reduce prejudices.

From Science News

Do more research on it, come up with a hypothesis as to why it underperforms, and try to improve it.

From Search Engine Watch

Now is the time to test your hypotheses to figure out what’s changing in your customers’ worlds, and address these topics directly.

From Search Engine Watch

Whether computing power alone is enough to fuel continued machine learning breakthroughs is a source of debate, but it seems clear we’ll be able to test the hypothesis.

From Singularity Hub 

Though researchers have struggled to understand exactly what contributes to this gender difference, Dr. Rohan has one hypothesis.

From The Daily Beast

The leading hypothesis for the ultimate source of the Ebola virus, and where it retreats in between outbreaks, lies in bats.

From The Daily Beast

In 1996, John Paul II called the Big Bang theory “more than a hypothesis.”

From The Daily Beast

To be clear: There have been no double-blind or controlled studies that conclusively confirm this hair-loss hypothesis.

From The Daily Beast

The bacteria-driven-ritual hypothesis ignores the huge diversity of reasons that could push someone to perform a religious ritual.

From The Daily Beast

And remember it is by our hypothesis the best possible form and arrangement of that lesson.

From Project Gutenberg

Taken in connection with what we know of the nebulæ, the proof of Laplace's nebular hypothesis may fairly be regarded as complete.

From Project Gutenberg

What has become of the letter from M. de St. Mars, said to have been discovered some years ago, confirming this last hypothesis?

From Project Gutenberg

To admit that there had really been any communication between the dead man and the living one is also an hypothesis.

From Project Gutenberg

"I consider it highly probable," asserted Aunt Maria, forgetting her Scandinavian hypothesis.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assumption
• axiom
• conclusion
• conjecture
• explanation
• guess
• inference
• interpretation
• premise
• proposition
• rationale
• supposition
• theorem
• thesis

More About Hypothesis

What is a hypothesis?

In science, a hypothesis is a statement or proposition that attempts to explain phenomena or facts. Hypotheses are often tested to see if they are accurate.

Crafting a useful hypothesis is one of the early steps in the scientific method, which is central to every field of scientific experimentation. A useful scientific hypothesis is based on current, accepted scientific knowledge and is testable.

Outside of science, the word hypothesis is often used more loosely to mean a guess or prediction.

Why is hypothesis important?

The first records of the term hypothesis come from around 1590. It comes from the Greek term hypóthesis, meaning “basis, supposition.”

Trustworthy science involves experiments and tests. In order to have an experiment, you need to test something. In science, that something is called a hypothesis. It is important to remember that, in science, a verified hypothesis is not actually confirmed to be an absolute truth. Instead, it is accepted to be accurate according to modern knowledge. Science always allows for the possibility that new information could disprove a widely accepted hypothesis.

Related to this, scientists will usually only propose a new hypothesis when new information is discovered because there is no reason to test something that is already accepted as scientifically accurate.

Did you know … ?

It can take a long time and even the discovery of new technology to confirm that a hypothesis is accurate. Physicist Albert Einstein’s 1916 theory of relativity contained hypotheses about space and time that have only been confirmed recently, thanks to modern technology!

What are real-life examples of hypothesis?

While in science, hypothesis has a narrow meaning, in general use its meaning is broader.

"This study confirms the hypothesis that individuals who have been infected with COVID-19 have persistent objectively measurable cognitive deficits." (N=81,337)

Ventilation subgroup show 7-point reduction in IQ https://t.co/50xrNNHC5E

— Claire Lehmann (@clairlemon) July 23, 2021

Not everyone drives. They can walk, cycle, catch a train, tram etc. That’s alternatives. What’s your alternative in your hypothesis?

— Barry (@Bazzaboy1982) July 27, 2021

 

What other words are related to hypothesis?

• scientific method
• experiment
• research
• prediction
• testable
• variable
• scientific theory

Quiz yourself!

True or False?

In science, a hypothesis must be based on current scientific information and be testable.