theoretical

[thee-uh-ret-i-kuh l]

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.

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 formsthe·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverban·ti·the·o·ret·i·cal, adjectivean·ti·the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·the·o·ret·ic, adjectivenon·the·o·ret·i·cal, adjectivenon·the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverbun·the·o·ret·ic, adjectiveun·the·o·ret·i·cal, adjectiveun·the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for theoretically

apparently, probably, hypothetically

Examples from the Web for theoretically

Contemporary Examples of theoretically

We could theoretically cause a lot of damage should we take that route.
Obama Could Hit China to Punish North Korea
Shane Harris, Tim Mak
December 20, 2014
Theoretically, the ship can take on all comers in the air, sea, underwater or on land.
Can the Navy's $12 Billion Stealth Destroyer Stay Afloat?
Dave Majumdar
October 22, 2014
He could, theoretically, present himself as a model citizen who made a mistake while obscuring what the mistakes been.
The Weirdest Story About a Conservative Obsession, a Convicted Bomber, and Taylor Swift You Have Ever Read
David Weigel
August 30, 2014
And so theoretically they could have gone out and made the film without ever being in touch with me.
A Trailblazer in YA Dystopian Fiction: An Interview With 'The Giver' Author Lois Lowry
Marianne Hayes
August 12, 2014
You can (theoretically) create a good movie with Kickstarter donations; you can also create a bad one.
Zach Braff’s Irritating Sense of Entitlement
Andrew Romano
July 18, 2014

Historical Examples of theoretically

That is, theoretically we may ascribe them to God, but practically we dissociate Him from them.
The Conquest of Fear
Basil King
Being a woman, she should, theoretically, have disliked and despised him for this.
Roden's Corner
Henry Seton Merriman
One-man power is (theoretically) greatly feared, in America.
Blood and Iron
John Hubert Greusel
And as a philosopher he was right; theoretically it would be possible.
Common Science
Carleton W. Washburne
Theoretically, we do what we please so long as we do not interfere with the traffic and all it implies.
With The Night Mail
Rudyard Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for theoretically

theoretical

theoretic (ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪk)

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 theoretically

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.

theoretically in Medicine

theoretical

[thē′ə-rĕt′ĭ-kəl]

adj.

Of, relating to, or based on theory.

Restricted to theory; not practical.