theoretical
Americanadjective
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of, relating to, or consisting in theory; not practical (applied ).
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existing only in theory; hypothetical.
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given to, forming, or dealing with theories; speculative.
adjective
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of or based on theory
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lacking practical application or actual existence; hypothetical
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using or dealing in theory; impractical
Other Word Forms
- antitheoretical adjective
- nontheoretic adjective
- nontheoretical adjective
- theoretically adverb
- untheoretic adjective
- untheoretical adjective
Etymology
Origin of theoretical
First recorded in 1610–20; theoretic, from Late Latin theōrēticus, from Greek theōrētikós, equivalent to theōrēt(ós) “to be seen” (verbal adjective derived from theōreîn “to view”) + -ikos -ic; -al 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In that theoretical promised land, the objective would be to care deeply about the people and issues that are worth our attention, not about stuff that doesn’t matter.
From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026
Justice Amy Coney Barrett asked Sauer a mix of practical and theoretical questions that revealed the incoherence of his position.
From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026
More successfully, in the 19th century, George Boole—mathematician, logician, theoretical psychologist—“fundamentally changed our understanding of logic,” Mr. Griffiths tells us, by “showing how reason could be captured by a formal system.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026
I don’t think theoretical value ought to outweigh public confidence under any circumstances.
From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026
At all events, Hubble failed to make theoretical hay when the chance was there.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.