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⇱ in theory - WordReference.com Dictionary of English


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
the•o•ry /ˈθiəri, ˈθɪri/USA pronunciation   n., pl. -ries. 
  1. Science. a group or collection of general statements that together as principles explain some fact or group of facts:[countable]Darwin's theory of evolution; quantum theory in physics.
  2. Mathematics a body or collection of mathematical principles belonging to one subject:[uncountable]the study of number theory.
  3. the branch of a science or art that deals with its principles or methods, as distinguished from its practice:[uncountable]He took courses in music theory.
  4. an explanation for some fact or behavior claimed to be true but not yet proven:[countable]He has a theory about why so many students have trouble with the word the in English.
Idioms
  1. Idioms in theory, under ideal conditions;
    theoretically:In theory everyone has certain equal rights.


WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
the•o•ry  (thē′ə rē, thēr′ē),USA pronunciation n., pl. -ries. 
  1. a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena:Einstein's theory of relativity.
  2. a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact.
  3. Mathematicsa body of principles, theorems, or the like, belonging to one subject:number theory.
  4. the branch of a science or art that deals with its principles or methods, as distinguished from its practice:music theory.
  5. a particular conception or view of something to be done or of the method of doing it;
    a system of rules or principles.
  6. contemplation or speculation.
  7. guess or conjecture.
  • Greek theōría a viewing, contemplating, equivalent. to theōr(eîn) to view + -ia -y3
  • Late Latin theōria
  • 1590–1600
    1. Theory, hypothesis are used in non-technical contexts to mean an untested idea or opinion. A theory in technical use is a more or less verified or established explanation accounting for known facts or phenomena:the theory of relativity.A hypothesis is a conjecture put forth as a possible explanation of phenomena or relations, which serves as a basis of argument or experimentation to reach the truth:This idea is only a hypothesis.
'in theory' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "in theory" in the title:

A First Course in Optimization Theory
a grounding <in> compound interest theory
did not require a modification in sexual theory
for life in theory
going to and will in theory and in practice
His theory has been refuted in three respects
I like it in theory, but not in practice
In a recent experiment to test their theory the researchers had a helicopter descend into the fog ab
in <conversation> with a theory
"in lieu of a new theory"
in theory this should happen: redundant or not?
In theory/Theoretically: Doubt with the punctuation
loving behaviour is any easier to understand in theory or enact in reality.
modules which <covered /provided a solid grounding in> compound interest theory
"original theory building efforts in SCM/logistics are scarce"
polysystem theory in translation
Pronunciation: 'i' in syllables - theory
semiotic theory in action
Students having input on what to do <was/were> great in theory.
theory and practice of/in logic ?
theory should be <maintained?> in a hypothesis
This theory is suggested by evidence of chips in the painted figures...
to be instructed in the theory
tossing a new theory in his mind
was pretty much of a low point in particle theory

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