theoretical

[ thee-uh-ret-i-kuhl ]
See synonyms for: theoreticaltheoretically on Thesaurus.com

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

  2. existing only in theory; hypothetical.

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

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Origin of theoretical

1
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;see -al1
  • Often the·o·ret·ic [thee-uh-ret-ik] /ˌθi əˈrɛt ɪk/ .

Other words from theoretical

  • the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverb
  • an·ti·the·o·ret·i·cal, adjective
  • non·the·o·ret·ic, adjective
  • non·the·o·ret·i·cal, adjective
  • un·the·o·ret·ic, adjective
  • un·the·o·ret·i·cal, adjective

Words Nearby theoretical

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use theoretical in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for theoretical

theoretical

theoretic (ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪk)

/ (ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪkəl) /


adjective
  1. of or based on theory

  2. lacking practical application or actual existence; hypothetical

  1. using or dealing in theory; impractical

Derived forms of theoretical

  • theoretically, 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