theory

[ thee-uh-ree, theer-ee ]

/ ˈθi ə ri, ˈθɪər i /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR theory ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural the·o·ries.

a coherent group of tested general propositions, commonly regarded as correct, that can be used as principles of explanation and prediction for a class of phenomena: Einstein's theory of relativity.

a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural and subject to experimentation, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact.

Mathematics. a body of principles, theorems, or the like, belonging to one subject: number theory.

the branch of a science or art that deals with its principles or methods, as distinguished from its practice: music theory.

a particular conception or view of something to be done or of the method of doing it; a system of rules or principles: conflicting theories of how children best learn to read.

contemplation or speculation: the theory that there is life on other planets.

guess or conjecture: My theory is that he never stops to think words have consequences.

Idioms for theory

in theory, ideally; hypothetically: In theory, mapping the human genome may lead to thousands of cures.

Origin of theory

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin theōria, from Greek theōría “a viewing, contemplating,” equivalent to theōr(eîn) “to view” + -ia noun suffix; see -y³

SYNONYMS FOR theory

1 principle, law, doctrine.

2 idea, notion, concept, postulate, thesis.

6 thought, opinion, judgment, conclusion, deduction, view.

7 hypothesis, surmise, supposition, presumption.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR theory ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for theory

1, 2. In technical or scientific use, Theory, principle, and law represent established, evidence-based explanations accounting for currently known facts or phenomena or for historically verified experience: the theory of relativity, the germ theory of disease, the law of supply and demand, the principle of conservation of energy. Often the word law is used in reference to scientific facts that can be reduced to a mathematical formula: Newton's laws of motion. In these contexts the terms theory and law often appear in well-established, fixed phrases and are not interchangeable. In both technical and nontechnical contexts, theory can also be synonymous with hypothesis, a conjecture put forth as a possible explanation of phenomena or relations, serving as a basis for thoughtful discussion and subsequent collection of data or engagement in scientific experimentation in order to rule out alternative explanations and reach the truth. In these contexts of early speculation, the words theory and hypothesis are often substitutable for one another: Remember, this idea is only a theory/hypothesis; Pasteur's experiments helped prove the theory/hypothesis that germs cause disease. Obviously, certain theories that start out as hypothetical eventually receive enough supportive data and scientific findings to become established, verified explanations. Although they retain the term theory in their names, they have evolved from mere conjecture to scientifically accepted fact.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH theory

hypothesis, law, theory (see synonym study at the current entry)

Words nearby theory

theoretics, The Orient, Origin of Species, The, theorist, theorize, theory, theory-laden, theory of equations, Theory of Everything, theory of games, theory of mind

Dictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for theory

“Our prosecutors have all too often inserted themselves into the political process based on the flimsiest of legal theories,” Barr went on.
The stunning hypocrisy of Bill Barr|Andrew Prokop|September 17, 2020|Vox
Turn Wilson’s mathematical crank, and you get a related theory describing groups of those pieces — perhaps billiard ball molecules.
How Mathematical ‘Hocus-Pocus’ Saved Particle Physics|Charlie Wood|September 17, 2020|Quanta Magazine
She also learns immediately that this theory is “not just incorrect but hateful, like saying that different races had different IQs” — and yet, “in my heart, I knew that Whorf was right,” that language does change the way you think.
The true love story in Elif Batuman’s The Idiot is a love affair with language|Constance Grady|September 11, 2020|Vox
It applies a different random error to each piece of information that’s encoded—which in theory makes it impossible to break without knowing the key.
Quantum computers threaten to end digital security. Here’s what’s being done about it|Jeremy Kahn|September 11, 2020|Fortune

Kindrachuk also works on ebola, and he says over the years many such theories have been put forth in scientific journals without provoking this kind of response.
Wearing a mask could protect you from COVID-19 in more ways than you think|Kat Eschner|September 10, 2020|Popular Science
Is it sort of evidence of the Gladwellian 10,000 hours theory?
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But a 2011 study of genetic evidence from 30 ethnic groups in India disproved this theory.
The Himalayas’ Hidden Aryans|Nina Strochlic|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But, in theory, that started to change last week with the first meeting of SIX, the State Innovation Exchange.
The Left’s Answer to ALEC|Ben Jacobs|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So I was happy to see that the European theory of terroir was in action, promoting with pride the qualities of a specific region.
Beer Countries vs. Wine Countries|Clive Irving|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The theory was first floated in the 1950s by Professor Homer Dubs of Oxford University.
The Chinese Town Descended From Romans?|Nina Strochlic|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For we would keep the theory in mind by visible signs, which act most powerfully upon the minds of children.
Guide to the Kindergarten and Intermediate Class and Moral Culture of Infancy.|Elizabeth P. Peabody
It comported with their theory of the true objects of government.
The Unconstitutionality of Slavery|Lysander Spooner
"Anyway, I'll bet she blows back w'ere she come from, to-night," persisted the advocate of this theory.
The Cruise of the Dry Dock|T. S. Stribling
I tried to recall my theory, and to close my eyes to the pathetic beauty of the face before me; but it was altogether in vain.
The Doctor's Dilemma|Hesba Stretton
But, in the language of a distinguished citizen of the old republic, 'we are confronted by a condition, not a theory.'
Comrades|Thomas Dixon

British Dictionary definitions for theory

theory

/ (ˈθɪərɪ) /

noun plural -ries

a system of rules, procedures, and assumptions used to produce a result

abstract knowledge or reasoning

a speculative or conjectural view or ideaI have a theory about that

an ideal or hypothetical situation (esp in the phrase in theory)

a set of hypotheses related by logical or mathematical arguments to explain and predict a wide variety of connected phenomena in general termsthe theory of relativity

a nontechnical name for hypothesis (def. 1)

Word Origin for theory

C16: from Late Latin theōria, from Greek: a sight, from theōrein to gaze upon

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for theory

theory

In science, an explanation or model that covers a substantial group of occurrences in nature and has been confirmed by a substantial number of experiments and observations. A theory is more general and better verified than a hypothesis. (See Big Bang theory, evolution, and relativity.)

Medical definitions for theory

theory

[ thē′ə-rē, thîr′ē ]

n.

A systematically organized body of knowledge applicable in a relatively wide variety of circumstances, especially a system of assumptions, accepted principles, and rules of procedure devised to analyze, predict, or otherwise explain the nature or behavior of a specified set of phenomena.

Abstract reasoning; speculation.

Scientific definitions for theory

theory

[ thē′ə-rē, thîr′ē ]

A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena. Most theories that are accepted by scientists have been repeatedly tested by experiments and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena. See Note at hypothesis.

单词	theory
释义	theory [ thee-uh-ree, theer-ee ] / ˈθi ə ri, ˈθɪər i / SEE SYNONYMS FOR theory ON THESAURUS.COM noun, plural the·o·ries. a coherent group of tested general propositions, commonly regarded as correct, that can be used as principles of explanation and prediction for a class of phenomena: Einstein's theory of relativity. a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural and subject to experimentation, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact. Mathematics. a body of principles, theorems, or the like, belonging to one subject: number theory. the branch of a science or art that deals with its principles or methods, as distinguished from its practice: music theory. a particular conception or view of something to be done or of the method of doing it; a system of rules or principles: conflicting theories of how children best learn to read. contemplation or speculation: the theory that there is life on other planets. guess or conjecture: My theory is that he never stops to think words have consequences. Idioms for theory in theory, ideally; hypothetically: In theory, mapping the human genome may lead to thousands of cures. Origin of theory First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin theōria, from Greek theōría “a viewing, contemplating,” equivalent to theōr(eîn) “to view” + -ia noun suffix; see -y³ SYNONYMS FOR theory 1 principle, law, doctrine. 2 idea, notion, concept, postulate, thesis. 6 thought, opinion, judgment, conclusion, deduction, view. 7 hypothesis, surmise, supposition, presumption. SEE SYNONYMS FOR theory ON THESAURUS.COM synonym study for theory 1, 2. In technical or scientific use, Theory, principle, and law represent established, evidence-based explanations accounting for currently known facts or phenomena or for historically verified experience: the theory of relativity, the germ theory of disease, the law of supply and demand, the principle of conservation of energy. Often the word law is used in reference to scientific facts that can be reduced to a mathematical formula: Newton's laws of motion. In these contexts the terms theory and law often appear in well-established, fixed phrases and are not interchangeable. In both technical and nontechnical contexts, theory can also be synonymous with hypothesis, a conjecture put forth as a possible explanation of phenomena or relations, serving as a basis for thoughtful discussion and subsequent collection of data or engagement in scientific experimentation in order to rule out alternative explanations and reach the truth. In these contexts of early speculation, the words theory and hypothesis are often substitutable for one another: Remember, this idea is only a theory/hypothesis; Pasteur's experiments helped prove the theory/hypothesis that germs cause disease. Obviously, certain theories that start out as hypothetical eventually receive enough supportive data and scientific findings to become established, verified explanations. Although they retain the term theory in their names, they have evolved from mere conjecture to scientifically accepted fact. WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH theory hypothesis, law, theory (see synonym study at the current entry) Words nearby theory theoretics, The Orient, Origin of Species, The, theorist, theorize, theory, theory-laden, theory of equations, Theory of Everything, theory of games, theory of mind Dictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020 Example sentences from the Web for theory “Our prosecutors have all too often inserted themselves into the political process based on the flimsiest of legal theories,” Barr went on. The stunning hypocrisy of Bill Barr\|Andrew Prokop\|September 17, 2020\|Vox Turn Wilson’s mathematical crank, and you get a related theory describing groups of those pieces — perhaps billiard ball molecules. How Mathematical ‘Hocus-Pocus’ Saved Particle Physics\|Charlie Wood\|September 17, 2020\|Quanta Magazine She also learns immediately that this theory is “not just incorrect but hateful, like saying that different races had different IQs” — and yet, “in my heart, I knew that Whorf was right,” that language does change the way you think. The true love story in Elif Batuman’s The Idiot is a love affair with language\|Constance Grady\|September 11, 2020\|Vox It applies a different random error to each piece of information that’s encoded—which in theory makes it impossible to break without knowing the key. Quantum computers threaten to end digital security. Here’s what’s being done about it\|Jeremy Kahn\|September 11, 2020\|Fortune Kindrachuk also works on ebola, and he says over the years many such theories have been put forth in scientific journals without provoking this kind of response. Wearing a mask could protect you from COVID-19 in more ways than you think\|Kat Eschner\|September 10, 2020\|Popular Science Is it sort of evidence of the Gladwellian 10,000 hours theory? Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness\|Marlow Stern\|January 7, 2015\|DAILY BEAST But a 2011 study of genetic evidence from 30 ethnic groups in India disproved this theory. The Himalayas’ Hidden Aryans\|Nina Strochlic\|January 3, 2015\|DAILY BEAST But, in theory, that started to change last week with the first meeting of SIX, the State Innovation Exchange. The Left’s Answer to ALEC\|Ben Jacobs\|December 15, 2014\|DAILY BEAST So I was happy to see that the European theory of terroir was in action, promoting with pride the qualities of a specific region. Beer Countries vs. Wine Countries\|Clive Irving\|December 7, 2014\|DAILY BEAST The theory was first floated in the 1950s by Professor Homer Dubs of Oxford University. The Chinese Town Descended From Romans?\|Nina Strochlic\|December 4, 2014\|DAILY BEAST For we would keep the theory in mind by visible signs, which act most powerfully upon the minds of children. Guide to the Kindergarten and Intermediate Class and Moral Culture of Infancy.\|Elizabeth P. Peabody It comported with their theory of the true objects of government. The Unconstitutionality of Slavery\|Lysander Spooner "Anyway, I'll bet she blows back w'ere she come from, to-night," persisted the advocate of this theory. The Cruise of the Dry Dock\|T. S. Stribling I tried to recall my theory, and to close my eyes to the pathetic beauty of the face before me; but it was altogether in vain. The Doctor's Dilemma\|Hesba Stretton But, in the language of a distinguished citizen of the old republic, 'we are confronted by a condition, not a theory.' Comrades\|Thomas Dixon British Dictionary definitions for theory theory / (ˈθɪərɪ) / noun plural -ries a system of rules, procedures, and assumptions used to produce a result abstract knowledge or reasoning a speculative or conjectural view or ideaI have a theory about that an ideal or hypothetical situation (esp in the phrase in theory) a set of hypotheses related by logical or mathematical arguments to explain and predict a wide variety of connected phenomena in general termsthe theory of relativity a nontechnical name for hypothesis (def. 1) Word Origin for theory C16: from Late Latin theōria, from Greek: a sight, from theōrein to gaze upon Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Content related to theory “Theory” vs. “Hypothesis”: What Is The Difference?Would the actual big bang theory—the one that refers to the beginning of the universe—mean the same thing as a big bang hypothesis? Read to find out! READ MORE Words related to theory code, doctrine, argument, concept, thesis, system, assumption, suspicion, proposal, scheme, approach, method, premise, philosophy, idea, plan, rationale, understanding, provision, ideology Cultural definitions for theory theory In science, an explanation or model that covers a substantial group of occurrences in nature and has been confirmed by a substantial number of experiments and observations. A theory is more general and better verified than a hypothesis. (See Big Bang theory, evolution, and relativity.) The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Medical definitions for theory theory [ thē′ə-rē, thîr′ē ] n. A systematically organized body of knowledge applicable in a relatively wide variety of circumstances, especially a system of assumptions, accepted principles, and rules of procedure devised to analyze, predict, or otherwise explain the nature or behavior of a specified set of phenomena. Abstract reasoning; speculation. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. Scientific definitions for theory theory [ thē′ə-rē, thîr′ē ] A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena. Most theories that are accepted by scientists have been repeatedly tested by experiments and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena. See Note at hypothesis. The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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theory

noun, plural the·o·ries.

Idioms for theory

Origin of theory

SYNONYMS FOR theory

synonym study for theory

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH theory

Words nearby theory

Example sentences from the Web for theory

British Dictionary definitions for theory

noun plural -ries

Word Origin for theory

Content related to theory

Words related to theory

Cultural definitions for theory

Medical definitions for theory

n.

Scientific definitions for theory