A theoretical study or explanation is based on or uses the ideas and abstract principles that relate to a particular subject, rather than the practical aspects or uses of it.
...theoretical physics.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe a situation as a theoretical one, you mean that although it is supposed to be true or to exist in the way stated, it may not in fact be true or exist in that way.
This is certainly a theoretical risk but in practice there is seldom a problem.
These fears are purely theoretical.
Synonyms: hypothetical, academic, notional, unproven More Synonyms of theoretical
More Synonyms of theoretical
theoretical in British English
(ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪkəl) or theoretic (ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪk)
adjective
1.
of or based on theory
2.
lacking practical application or actual existence; hypothetical
3.
using or dealing in theory; impractical
Derived forms
theoretically (ˌtheoˈretically)
adverb
theoretical in American English
(ˌθiəˈrɛtɪkəl)
adjective
1.
of or constituting theory
2.
limited to or based on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical
3.
tending to theorize; speculative
Also ˌtheoˈretic
Derived forms
theoretically (ˌtheoˈretically)
adverb
Word origin
< LL theoreticus < Gr theōrētikos < -al
Examples of 'theoretical' in a sentence
theoretical
Many physicians lack the theoretical framework within which to understand this disease.
Randolph, Theron G. & Moss, Ralph W. (contributor) An Alternative Approach to Allergies (1990)
That may compromise some theoretical privacy but it would far better uphold both accountability and transparency.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The tragedy may have been purely theoretical but it hurt.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
You may have a theoretical moral duty to help those who are in considerably worse straits than yourself.
Christianity Today (2000)
It is no good just studying purely theoretical subjects that have little to do withthe world of work.
The Sun (2008)
The divine call is always heard as a moral and practical as opposed to a theoretical or purely cognitive one.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is this borrowed theoretical framework that gets in the way of their being able to reply to sociological criticisms satisfactorily.
de Haan, Willem The Politics of Redress - crime, punishment and penal abolition (1989)
One would be to begin with a complete elaboration of the theoretical framework and then move on to empirical applications or tests.
Forstner, Helmut, Ballance, Robert Competing in a Global Economy (1990)
Of course not - for no theoretical framework exists to make such connections.
Randolph, Theron G. & Moss, Ralph W. (contributor) An Alternative Approach to Allergies (1990)
We know from recent history that it's not a purely theoretical risk.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
At the same time, interest in theoretical explanations of the rise of social services increased.
Brown, Muriel & Payne Sarah Introduction to Social Administration in Britain (1990)
What happens at the coalface in medicine affects the research chosen, so that it is more than purely theoretical.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Since his political perspective was capitalist at its very foundation, he necessarily arrived at a general theoretical framework that defended capitalist social relations.
Henry, John F The Making of Neoclassical Economics (1990)
He wanted to assist with the reconstruction of postwar France and helped to provide a theoretical framework for the government to rebuild its economy.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
These theoretical calculations may appear arcane, but they really do have an impact on issues such as capital spending in lots of companies.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Meanwhile, the pricing freedoms that Yell is set to enjoy may be more theoretical than actual.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
If you have no evidence that your job and lifestyle have caused distress or disadvantage to the family, your worries seem to be purely theoretical.
Shapiro, Jean Get the Best out of the Rest of Your Life (1990)
Different theoretical approaches simply constitute different, and more or less equally valid, ways of looking at that phenomenon.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
In fact, it now looks as though that generation's approach to theoretical physics may have been a dead end.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
For past the first ten million or so, money becomes purely theoretical: you can only be on one yacht at a time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
theoretical
British English: theoretical ADJECTIVE
A theoretical study or explanation is based on ideas about it, rather than practical aspects of it.
...theoretical physics.
American English: theoretical
Brazilian Portuguese: teórico
Chinese: 理论的
European Spanish: teórico
French: théorique
German: theoretisch
Italian: teorico
Japanese: 理論上の
Korean: 이론의
European Portuguese: teórico
Latin American Spanish: teórico
Chinese translation of 'theoretical'
theoretical
(θɪəˈrɛtɪkl)
adj
[explanation, subject]理论(論)的 (lǐlùn de)
[possibility, risk]假设(設)的 (jiǎshè de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
based on or concerned with the ideas and abstract principles relating to a particular subject rather than its practical uses
theoretical physics
Synonyms
abstract
starting with a few abstract principles
pure
Physics isn't just about pure science with no practical applications.
speculative
He has written a speculative biography of Christopher Marlowe.
ideal
an ideal economic world
impractical
With regularly scheduled airlines, sea travel became impractical.
Opposites
applied
,
practical
,
realistic
,
factual
,
experiential
2 (adjective)
Definition
existing in theory but perhaps not in reality
There is a theoretical risk, but there is seldom a problem.
Synonyms
hypothetical
a purely hypothetical question
academic
These arguments are purely academic.
notional
the notional value of assets
unproven
conjectural
There is something undeniably conjectural about such claims.
nominal
As he was still not allowed to run a company, his wife became its nominal head.
postulatory
Additional synonyms
in the sense of academic
Definition
of theoretical interest only
These arguments are purely academic.
Synonyms
theoretical,
ideal,
abstract,
speculative,
hypothetical,
impractical,
notional,
conjectural
in the sense of conjectural
There is something undeniably conjectural about such claims.
Synonyms
speculative,
theoretical,
tentative,
hypothetical,
supposed,
academic,
surmised,
suppositional
in the sense of ideal
Definition
of, involving, or existing only as an idea
an ideal economic world
Synonyms
hypothetical,
academic,
intellectual,
abstract,
theoretical,
speculative,
conceptual,
metaphysical,
transcendental,
notional
Synonyms of 'theoretical'
theoretical
Explore 'theoretical' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of impractical
Definition
not sensible or workable
With regularly scheduled airlines, sea travel became impractical.
Synonyms
unworkable,
impracticable,
unrealistic,
inoperable,
impossible,
unserviceable,
nonviable
in the sense of nominal
Definition
in name only
As he was still not allowed to run a company, his wife became its nominal head.
Synonyms
titular,
formal,
purported,
in name only,
supposed,
so-called,
pretended,
theoretical,
professed,
ostensible
in the sense of notional
Definition
hypothetical, imaginary, or unreal
the notional value of assets
Synonyms
hypothetical,
ideal,
abstract,
theoretical,
imaginary,
speculative,
conceptual,
visionary,
unreal,
fanciful,
imagal
in the sense of pure
Definition
(of a subject) studied in its theoretical aspects rather than for its practical applications
Physics isn't just about pure science with no practical applications.
Synonyms
theoretical,
abstract,
philosophical,
speculative,
academic,
conceptual,
hypothetical,
conjectural,
non-practical
in the sense of speculative
He has written a speculative biography of Christopher Marlowe.