hypothetical

[ hahy-puh-thet-i-kuhl ]
/ ˌhaɪ pəˈθɛt ɪ kəl /

adjective Also hy·po·thet·ic (for defs 1–4).

assumed by hypothesis; supposed: a hypothetical case.
of, pertaining to, involving, or characterized by hypothesis: hypothetical reasoning.
given to making hypotheses.
Logic.
  1. (of a proposition) highly conjectural; not well supported by available evidence.
  2. (of a proposition or syllogism) conditional.

noun

a hypothetical situation, instance, etc.: The Secretary of Defense refused to discuss hypotheticals with the reporters.

Origin of hypothetical

1580–90; < Greek hypothetik(ós) supposed ( hypo- hypo- + the- put (base of tithénai to put, do1) + -tikos -tic) + -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM hypothetical

hy·po·thet·i·cal·ly, adverb un·hy·po·thet·i·cal, adjective un·hy·po·thet·i·cal·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for hypothetically

British Dictionary definitions for hypothetically

hypothetical

hypothetic

/ (ˌhaɪpəˈθɛtɪkəl) /

adjective

having the nature of a hypothesis
assumed or thought to exist
logic another word for conditional (def. 4)
existing only as an idea or concept a time machine is a hypothetical device

Derived forms of hypothetical

hypothetically, adverb