theory

the·o·ry

noun \ˈthē-ə-rē, ˈthir-ē\

plural the·o·ries

Definition of THEORY

1

: the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another

2

: abstract thought : speculation

3

: the general or abstract principles of a body of fact, a science, or an art <music theory>

4

a : a belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action <her method is based on the theory that all children want to learn> b : an ideal or hypothetical set of facts, principles, or circumstances —often used in the phrase in theory <in theory, we have always advocated freedom for all>

5

: a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena <the wave theory of light>

6

a : a hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument or investigation b : an unproved assumption : conjecture c : a body of theorems presenting a concise systematic view of a subject <theory of equations>

Examples of THEORY

1. a widely accepted scientific theory
2. Her method is based on the theory that all children want to learn.
3. There are a number of different theories about the cause of the disease.
4. She proposed a theory of her own.
5. Investigators rejected the theory that the death was accidental.
6. There is no evidence to support such a theory.
7. He is a specialist in film theory and criticism.
8. The immune surveillance theory of cancer holds that in a way we all do have cancer, that a healthy immune system fights off rogue cells as they appear. —Sallie Tisdale, Harper's, June 2007
9. The family's theory was that the cheating businessmen somehow framed their brother. —Eliza Griswold, Harper's, September 2006
10. The theory of the teacher with all these immigrant kids was that if you spoke English loudly enough they would eventually understand. —E. L. Doctorow, Loon Lake, (1979) 1980
11. While strolling around, we kept the run of the moon all the time, and we still kept an eye on her after we got back to the hotel portico. I had a theory that the gravitation of refraction, being subsidiary to atmospheric compensation, the refrangibility of the earth's surface would emphasize this effect in regions where great mountain ranges occur, and possibly so even-handed impact the odic and idyllic forces together, the one upon the other, as to prevent the moon from rising higher than 12,200 feet above sea-level. This daring theory had been received with frantic scorn by some of my fellow-scientists, and with an eager silence by others. —Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad, 1880

Origin of THEORY

Late Latin theoria, from Greek theōria, from theōrein

First Known Use: 1592

Related to THEORY

Synonyms: hypothesis, proposition, supposition, thesis

Related Words: assumption, concession, premise (also premiss), presumption, presupposition, theorem; conjecture, generalization, guess, guesswork, inference, speculation, surmise; proffer, proposal, suggestion; feeling, hunch, impression, inkling, notion, suspicion; abstraction, concept, conception, construct

Near Antonyms: assurance, certainty, fact, knowledge

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See Synonym Discussion at hypothesis