theoretical

[ thee-uh-ret-i-kuh l ]
/ 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.
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

Words nearby theoretical

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

Words related to theoretical

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

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

Medical definitions for theoretical

theoretical
[ thē′ə-rĕt′ĭ-kəl ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or based on theory.
Restricted to theory; not practical.