hypothetical

hy-po-thet-i-cal · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Based on or involving a hypothesis; supposed but not necessarily real or true.

  2. 2.

    A hypothetical proposition or situation.

  3. 3.

    Of, relating to, or based on a hypothesis or supposition.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    purely hypothetical — entirely theoretical with no basis in fact
  • •
    hypothetical question — a question based on an assumed situation

Related words

Antonyms: actual, concrete, factual, real
See also: hypothesis, hypothetically, speculative, theoretical
Synonyms: conjectural, imaginary, speculative, supposed, theoretical

Etymology

From Greek hypothetikos ("pertaining to a hypothesis"), from hypothesis ("supposition"). The Greek word combines hypo- ("under") + thesis ("placing").