theoretically

adverb

the·​o·​ret·​i·​cal·​ly ˌthē-ə-ˈre-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌthir-ˈe-ti-

1

: according to an ideal or assumed set of facts or principles : in theory

2

: in a theoretical way

Examples of theoretically in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Musk first revealed the Cybertruck in late 2019, back when Tesla was still trading at a theoretically understandable price-to-earning ratio. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026

The advance, published October 30 in Nature Photonics, demonstrates a capability that researchers had proposed theoretically decades ago but had not previously achieved experimentally. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

The café is takeout only with plentiful seating indoors and theoretically outdoors. — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

That theoretically means access to Tesla's extensive Supercharger network without requiring owners to carry an adapter around like some sort of automotive electrical Swiss Army knife. — New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1626, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for theoretically

• hermetically
• magnetically
• pathetically
• electrophoretically
• parenthetically
• sympathetically