theoretical

adjective

the·​o·​ret·​i·​cal ˌthē-ə-ˈre-ti-kəl 

ˌthir-ˈe-ti-kəl

variants or less commonly theoretic

ˌthē-ə-ˈre-tik 

ˌthir-ˈe-tik

1

: existing only in theory : hypothetical

gave as an example a theoretical situation

2

a

: relating to or having the character of theory : abstract

b

: confined to theory or speculation often in contrast to practical applications : speculative

theoretical physics

3

: given to or skilled in theorizing

a brilliant theoretical physicist

Synonyms of theoretical

• hypothetical
• speculative
• conjectural

Examples of theoretical in a Sentence

On a theoretical level, hiring more people seems logical.

The idea is purely theoretical at this point.

The danger is more than just a theoretical possibility.

Recent Examples on the Web

This team observed the optical and gamma-ray radiation emitted by SN 2017egm and compared this data to theoretical models of the flow of light and particles from a newborn magnetar. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 May 2026

Events of the past few weeks reveal that the problem of rising interest rates is not theoretical. —Jared Bernstein, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026

Anthropic's own economists documented the gap between AI's theoretical and actual labor-market footprint in a March 2026 paper co-authored by head of economics Peter McCrory. —Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026

And the chaos is no longer theoretical. —Wyles Daniel may 19, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin theoreticus, from Greek theōrētikos, from theōrein to look at

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing theoretical

• anti-theoretical
• in theoretical terms

Rhymes for theoretical

• aesthetical
• genetical
• heretical
• magnetical
• poetical
• prophetical
• alphabetical
• antithetical
• arithmetical
• catechetical
• exegetical
• homiletical

Kids Definition

theoretical

adjective

the·​o·​ret·​i·​cal ˌthē-ə-ˈret-i-kəl 

ˌthi(-ə)r-ˈet-

variants also theoretic

-ik 

1

a

: relating to or having the character of theory : abstract

b

: limited to theory or speculation : speculative

theoretical physics

2

: existing only in theory : hypothetical

a theoretical situation

theoretically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb