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

theor., theorbo, theorell, theorem, theoretic, theoretical, theoretical arithmetic, theoretician, theoretics, theorist, theorize

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 Forms

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

Medicine definitions for theoretically

theoretical

[ thē′ə-rĕt′ĭ-kəl ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or based on theory.

Restricted to theory; not practical.