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

• academic
• academical
• conjectural
• hypothetical
• speculative
• suppositional

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

For stock market investors, the equity risk premium is the theoretical excess return of stocks over risk-free assets to account for market risk. —CNBC, 19 May 2025

Think of the 60 plus percentage rates advertised in the press as the ceiling or the theoretical maximum reimbursement rates. —Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025

But this wasn’t a concept Kang pursued purely for its theoretical strength. —Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 17 May 2025

These stories prove that the problem is not theoretical. —Yolanda Androzzo, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025

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

• alphabetical
• antithetical
• arithmetical
• catechetical
• exegetical
• homiletical
• hypothetical
• parenthetical
• aesthetical
• genetical
• heretical
• magnetical

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