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

His projects have been with athletes, politicians, chief executive officers, the director of a botanical garden, a physician, a Nepalese monk, a theoretical physicist. —John McPhee, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

The theoretical paper was published in Physical Review Letters, and the team is expected to conduct laboratory experiments to verify the same soon. —Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026

Axions are a theoretical subatomic particle that have existed as a concept since 1977 to explain the dark matter that makes up 85% of the universe’s mass. —Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026

The stakes are not theoretical. —Gaurav Srivastava, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 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

• 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