Definition of theoretical
1 : existing only in theory : hypothetical gave as an example a theoretical situation
2a : relating to or having the character of theory : abstractb : 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
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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 of theoretical from the Web
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Those dire predictions have moved beyond theoretical in recent years as tidewaters have been rising higher and into more neighborhoods from the Keys to Palm Beach County.
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Steve Koonin, a theoretical physicist and currently the director of the Center for Urban Science and Progress at New York University, agreed with this assessment.
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Uber has created vast theoretical fortunes and helped remake the American economy.
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This online survey is not based on a probability sample, and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
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The weird thing was, as the work progressed, everything was theoretical and written down which was so unusual for me, being used to hearing everything from the first drum kick.
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Kaiser thinks small projects, especially theoretical research that perhaps doesn’t require as much in equipment and staff costs, will take advantage of crowdfunding more and more.
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Meanwhile, Kip Thorne, a scientist at Caltech, has investigated the theoretical behavior of wormholes, examining their potential as shortcuts through interstellar space.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'theoretical'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of theoretical
Late Latin theoreticus, from Greek theōrētikos, from theōrein to look at
First Known Use: 1601
THEORETICAL Defined for English Language Learners
theoretical
playDefinition of theoretical for English Language Learners
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: relating to what is possible or imagined rather than to what is known to be true or real
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: relating to the general principles or ideas of a subject rather than the practical uses of those ideas
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See words that rhyme with theoretical Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for theoretical Spanish Central: Translation of theoretical Nglish: Translation of theoretical for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of theoretical for Arabic speakers
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