theoretical
Americanadjective
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of, relating to, or consisting in theory; not practical (applied ).
-
existing only in theory; hypothetical.
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given to, forming, or dealing with theories; speculative.
adjective
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of or based on theory
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lacking practical application or actual existence; hypothetical
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using or dealing in theory; impractical
Other Word Forms
- antitheoretical adjective
- nontheoretic adjective
- nontheoretical adjective
- theoretically adverb
- untheoretic adjective
- untheoretical adjective
Etymology
Origin of theoretical
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
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Equilibrium refers to a theoretical level for borrowing costs that is neither stimulative nor restrictive, and which would keep the U.S. economy steady.
From MarketWatch
Space Force, the branch of the military that deals with the nation’s space interests, helped the FAA draw the contours of theoretical “debris response areas” — no-fly zones that could be activated if Starship exploded.
From Salon
Clint and I had many conversations, very cerebral conversations, theoretical conversations about story — and emotion was one of them.
From Los Angeles Times
It also applies to hyperbolic geometries, which are commonly used in theoretical physics and modern models of spacetime.
From Science Daily
His mission is to turn theoretical physics into functional quantum computers "to solve otherwise unsolvable problems" and he admits he's biased but says these chandeliers are the best performing in the world.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
