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theoretical

[ thee-uh-ret-i-kuh l ]
/ ˌθi əˈrɛt ɪ kəl /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR theoretical ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of, relating to, or consisting in theory; not practical (distinguished from applied).
existing only in theory; hypothetical.
given to, forming, or dealing with theories; speculative.

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RELATED WORDS

abstract, academic, analytical, assumed, conjectural, contingent, general, hypothetic, hypothetical, ideal, imaginative, impractical, intellectual, logical, metaphysical, notional, pedantic, philosophical, problematical, pure

Nearby words

  1. theorbo,
  2. theorell,
  3. theorell, axel hugo teodor,
  4. theorem,
  5. theoretic,
  6. theoretical arithmetic,
  7. theoretically,
  8. theoretician,
  9. theoretics,
  10. theorist
Often the·o·ret·ic.

Origin of theoretical

1610–20; theoretic (< Late Latin theōrēticus < Greek theōrētikós, equivalent to theōrēt(ós) to be seen (verbid of theōreîn to view) + -ikos -ic) + -al1
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for theoretic

British Dictionary definitions for theoretic (1 of 2)

theoretic

/ (ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪk) /

adjective

another word for theoretical

noun

another word for theoretics

British Dictionary definitions for theoretic (2 of 2)

theoretical

theoretic (ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪk)

/ (ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪkəl) /

adjective

of or based on theory
lacking practical application or actual existence; hypothetical
using or dealing in theory; impractical
Derived Formstheoretically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for theoretic

theoretical

adj.

1610s, from Late Latin theoreticus "of or pertaining to theory," from Greek theoretikos "contemplative, pertaining to theory" (by Aristotle contrasted to praktikos), from theoretos "that may be seen or considered," from theorein "to consider, look at" (see theory). Related: Theoretically.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for theoretic

theoretical

[ thē′ə-rĕt′ĭ-kəl ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or based on theory.
Restricted to theory; not practical.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.