theorize

1 of 2

verb

the·​o·​rize ˈthē-ə-ˌrīz 

ˈthir-ˌīz

theorized; theorizing

intransitive verb

: to form a theory : speculate

transitive verb

1

: to form a theory about

2

: to propose as a theory

theorization

ˌthē-ə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌthir-ə-

noun

theorizer noun

theorization

2 of 2

noun

the·​o·​ri·​za·​tion

variants also British theorisation

ˌthēərə̇ˈzāshən

plural -s

: an act or product of theorizing : formation of a theory : speculation

Examples of theorize in a Sentence

Verb

Many scientists have theorized about the possibility of life on other planets.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Physicists had long theorized that an invisible field of energy gives mass to particles like protons while leaving particles of light — photons — massless. — Lisa Song, CNN Money, 28 July 2026

Researchers theorize that sperm whales nap for 10 to 15 minutes at a time underwater, in a vertical position with their heads pointing upwards. — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 23 July 2026

The story’s narrator theorized that the crime would not have happened if the men had met anywhere but in an office. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026

In his continued research, and specifically in his work with Jeanne Nakamura in 2002, Csikszentmihalyi theorized that the human brain has finite processing power of about 120 bits per second. — April Dávila, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1644, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for theorize

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• arise
• assize
• baptize
• belies
• bitwise
• capsize
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise

Kids Definition

theorize

verb

the·​o·​rize ˈthē-ə-ˌrīz 

theorized; theorizing

: to form a theory : speculate

theorizer noun