theorynoun [ C or U ]
uk/ˈθɪə.ri/us/ˈθɪr.i/B2 a formal statement of the rules on which a subject of study is based or of ideas that are suggested to explain a fact or event or, more generally, an opinion or explanation:
economic theory
scientific theory
Darwin's theory of evolution
He has a theory that the hole was caused by a meteorite.
in theory
B2 If something is possible in theory, it should be possible, but often it does not happen in that way:
In theory, the journey should take three hours, but in practice it usually takes four because of roadworks.
More examples
- It was Ptolemy who propounded the theory that the earth was at the centre of the universe.
- This new evidence lends support to the theory that she was murdered.
- This research seems to give some validity to the theory that the drug might cause cancer.
- In Jungian theory, there are certain archetypes of human personality.
- In theory, women can still have children at the age of 50.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Philosophy
- aesthete
- aesthetic
- anthropocentric
- Aristotle
- axiomatic
- globalist
- holism
- idealism
- individualism
- materialism
- philosophy
- postmodernism
- pseudo-science
- rationalism
- rationalist
- theorist
- theorize
- utilitarianism
- yang
- yin
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Ideas, concepts and theories
Logic and reason