theoretician

American  

[thee-er-i-tish-uhn, theer-i-] / ˌθi ər ɪˈtɪʃ ən, ˌθɪər ɪ- /

noun

1. a person who deals with or is expert in the theoretical side of a subject.

   a military theoretician.

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theoretician British  

/ ˌθɪərɪˈtɪʃən /

noun

1. a student or user of the theory rather than the practical aspects of a subject

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Etymology

Origin of theoretician

First recorded in 1885–90; theoretic(s) + -ian

Example Sentences

I think it allowed young economists and theoreticians coming through the system to make a huge splash and to make their mark — and not have to read the old authors.

From Salon

As a next step, the theoreticians examined the effects of increasing the width of the lanes and the cell clusters in their simulations.

From Science Daily

But they needed a theoretician to help them understand what was happening.

From New York Times

Mr. Barth was a practitioner and a theoretician of postmodern literature.

From New York Times

The first important detail that the film gets right is that Oppenheimer, for all of his undeniable brilliance as a theoretician, is ultimately best remembered for practical achievements rather than intellectual ones.

From Salon