theoretical

Often the·o·ret·ic

[thee-uh-ret-i-kuhl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or consisting in theory; not practical (applied ).

2. existing only in theory; hypothetical.

3. given to, forming, or dealing with theories; speculative.

theoretical

/ ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪkəl, ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪk /

adjective

1. of or based on theory

2. lacking practical application or actual existence; hypothetical

3. using or dealing in theory; impractical

Other Word Forms

• theoretically adverb
• antitheoretical adjective
• nontheoretic adjective
• nontheoretical adjective
• untheoretic adjective
• untheoretical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of theoretical¹

First recorded in 1610–20; theoretic, from Late Latin theōrēticus, from Greek theōrētikós, equivalent to theōrēt(ós) “to be seen” (verbal adjective derived from theōreîn “to view”) + -ikos -ic; -al ¹

Example Sentences

Based on this insight, they developed the theoretical framework of "optical thermodynamics," describing how light in nonlinear lattices can undergo processes analogous to expansion, compression, and even phase transitions.

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That same year, Adam Smith published “The Wealth of Nations,” providing theoretical underpinning for the American experiment in free markets.

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Advancing the theoretical models of memory will be instrumental to gaining new insights into the human mind and recreating humanlike memory in AI agents.

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The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, provides the theoretical foundation that could eventually lead to new electronic devices controlled by simple magnets.

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Their work demonstrated that tunnelling can happen not only in a more theoretical world, but also in electrical circuits in the 'real world'.

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Related Words

• abstract 
• academic 
• analytical 
• imaginative 
• intellectual 
• logical 
• metaphysical 
• philosophical 
• speculative 
• vague