theoretical

[ thee-uh-ret-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or consisting in theory; not practical ( applied ).
2. existing only in theory; hypothetical.
3. given to, forming, or dealing with theories; speculative.

theoretical

/ ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪkəl; ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪk /

adjective

1. of or based on theory
2. lacking practical application or actual existence; hypothetical
3. using or dealing in theory; impractical

Derived Forms

• ˌtheoˈretically, adverb

Other Words From

• the·o·ret·i·cal·ly adverb
• an·ti·the·o·ret·i·cal adjective
• non·the·o·ret·ic adjective
• non·the·o·ret·i·cal adjective
• un·the·o·ret·ic adjective
• un·the·o·ret·i·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of theoretical¹

First recorded in 1610–20; theoretic, from Late Latin theōrēticus, from Greek theōrētikós, equivalent to theōrēt(ós) “to be seen” (verbal adjective derived from theōreîn “to view”) + -ikos -ic; -al ¹

Example Sentences

The rising threat is theoretical, until it isn’t.

From Salon

Haines also has degrees in law and theoretical physics.

From Slate

In contrast to Minic, Dr. Avi Loeb, a theoretical physics professor at Harvard University, praised the paper as “highly technical and offers a novel mathematical way to describe interactions among particles in a unified geometric way, including gravity and electromagnetism.”

From Salon

Working with Dr. Rutwig Campoamor-Stursberg and mathematics colleague Álvaro Rodríguez Abella, Monjo performed extensive algebraic and other mathematical calculations — much of it drawing from existing research on theoretical physics — in order to arrive at their conclusions.

From Salon

“An extreme abortion ban is not theoretical to us,” said Lisa Turner, who guides a political action committee promoting Democratic candidates and causes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abstract
• academic
• analytical
• imaginative
• intellectual
• logical
• metaphysical
• philosophical
• speculative
• vague