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

From a theoretical perspective, these duos seemed nearly impossible. —Charlie Wood, WIRED, 31 Dec. 2023

There is a theoretical limit, proposed in 1965, to just how energetic a cosmic ray should be: no more than 50 EeV coming from more than 300 million light years from Earth. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 23 Nov. 2023

In the subfield of theoretical computer science called complexity theory, researchers try to pin down how easily computers can solve various types of problems. —Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 22 Dec. 2023

Nobel Laureate and theoretical physicist Frank Wilczek first proposed the existence of anyons, of which non-Abelian anyons are a specific type, in 1982, outside of the context of technology. —Sophia Chen, WIRED, 21 Dec. 2023

From Real Leaders: Applying Insights To Your Journey Move beyond theoretical role models. —Denise Russo, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023

Expect to see the theoretical physicist’s influence on the runway in seasons to come. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2023

Invader eventually built a fan base, and the theoretical dimensions of his project impressed the cognoscenti. —Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023

Cooler heads may yet prevail after a theoretical Venezuelan invasion of Guyana became somewhat less theoretical last week, following threats made by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to annex nearly three-quarters of the territory of his nation’s eastern neighbor. —Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing theoretical

• anti-theoretical
• in theoretical terms

• anti-theoretical
• in theoretical terms

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