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

But to sacrifice Negan to The Dama in theoretical perpetuity? —Charlie Mason, TVLine, 5 May 2025

And none of us could have imagined that our theoretical models would fit the data so well. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 May 2025

The awful goalie interference challenge in Game 3 is one thing but the stubbornness to not use the depth that was a theoretical advantage was worse. —Eric Stephens, New York Times, 2 May 2025

Without disciplined execution, even the best ideas remain theoretical. —Christoph Knitter, Forbes.com, 1 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