theoretical

[ thee-uh-ret-i-kuhl ]
/ ˌθi əˈrɛt ɪ kəl /
SEE 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.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM theoretical

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to theoretical

imaginative, abstract, metaphysical, intellectual, vague, academic, philosophical, logical, analytical, speculative, assumed, conjectural, contingent, general, ideal, impractical, on paper, pedantic, pure, quixotic

Example sentences from the Web for theoretical

British Dictionary definitions for theoretical

theoretical

theoretic (ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪk)

/ (ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪkəl) /

adjective

of or based on theory
lacking practical application or actual existence; hypothetical
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

Medical definitions for theoretical

theoretical
[ thē′ə-rĕt′ĭ-kəl ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or based on theory.
Restricted to theory; not practical.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.