theoretical

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

/ ˌθi əˈrɛt ɪ kəl /

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.

RELATED WORDS

apparently, probably, hypothetically

Nearby words

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

the·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, adjective

non·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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
Because this fact is theoretically true, it is not practically true also.
The Problems of Psychical Research|Hereward Carrington
Practically you detest me, but theoretically you love me à la Thinkright.
The Opened Shutters|Clara Louise Burnham
Theoretically we would expect this wing to be much later in time than the buildings on the mound.
The Prehistoric World|E. A. Allen
And as a philosopher he was right; theoretically it would be possible.
Common Science|Carleton W. Washburne
Theoretically yardmen, section men, tower men and all others should be always prepared for extra trains.
Letters from an Old Railway Official|Charles DeLano Hine

British Dictionary definitions for theoretically

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 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.

Medicine definitions for theoretically

theoretical

[ thē′ə-rĕt′ĭ-kəl ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or based on theory.

Restricted to theory; not practical.