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theoretical Definition

theo·reti·cal (t̸hē′ə ret′i kəl)

adjective

  1. of or constituting theory
  2. limited to or based on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical
  3. tending to theorize; speculative

Etymology: < LL theoreticus < Gr theōrētikos < -al

theoretical Related Forms
the′o·ret′i·cally adverb
theoretical Synonyms

theoretical

modif.

ideological, ideal, imaginative, unearthly, idealized, ideational, problematical, analytical, academic, presumed, postulated, assumed, formularized, formalistic, pedantic, codified, technical, intellectual, vague, abstract, general, conjectural, unproved, tentative, suppositional, pure, unsubstantiated, speculative, transcendental, philosophical, logical, metaphysical, contingent, instanced, open to proof, stated as a premise, in theory, on paper, in the abstract, in the realm of ideas; see also hypothetical 1.

Antonyms practical*, applied, factual.

theoretical Usage Examples

Preposition: in

  • nature: At present, contributions to this latter field have been mainly theoretical in nature.

Modifies a noun

  • framework: From an early stage an explicit theoretical framework has been used to guide the project.
  • physic: Apart from Linux I enjoy reading books on theoretical physics.
  • perspective: The group welcomes work on the state from any theoretical perspective.
  • physicist: Professor Stephen Hawking British theoretical physicist noted for his research into the origin of the universe.
  • foundation: Black Panther Theory: The practices of the late Malcolm X were deeply rooted in the theoretical foundations of the Black Panther Party.
  • underpinning: The importance of Logic in providing crucial theoretical underpinnings for computer science, is now widely recognized.

Modifying Another Word

  • purely: The purely theoretical aspects of the module will be delivered in a small number of lectures.
  • merely: This interest was not merely theoretical - he found the actual preparing and compounding of ointments and plasters very absorbing.
  • explicitly: This symposium aims at addressing such issues from an explicitly theoretical rather than heuristic perspective.
  • mainly: At present, contributions to this latter field have been mainly theoretical in nature.
  • highly: The model offers an explicit critique of those highly theoretical programs or courses that do not value the prior experience or knowledge of students.
  • mostly: My work is mostly theoretical but its results also bear directly on issues of experimental implementation.

Used with adjective complement

  • remain: In my view, the possibility of such a link remains theoretical.
  • seem: Studying Shakespeare often seems very theoretical because students aren't usually going to put the play on themselves.
  • offer: Therefore, manuscripts offering theoretical, conceptual, and practical contributions for ECRM are encouraged.