theoretical

/θiə'retik/ Cách viết khác : (theoretical) /θiə'retikəl/

Thân thiện

Theoretical physics explores the fundamental laws of the universe.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or based on theory: Concerned with the abstract principles and analysis of a subject, rather than its practical application or real-world experience.
   • Hypothetical or speculative: Existing only in theory; not proven or demonstrated in practice.

Usage

• General Use: Used to describe ideas, knowledge, or fields of study that are abstract and conceptual.
• Academic/Scientific Context: Commonly used in scientific, philosophical, and academic discussions to distinguish abstract reasoning from experimental or applied work.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • His knowledge of the subject is purely theoretical; he has never worked in the field.
  • We studied the theoretical foundations of quantum mechanics before moving to the lab.
  • Her argument is sound from a theoretical perspective, but it may not work in practice.

Advanced Usage

• "Theoretical framework": A structure of concepts and assumptions used to understand or analyze a phenomenon.
  • The research paper is built upon a complex theoretical framework derived from sociology.
• "Theoretical possibility": Something that is possible in principle or theory, regardless of practical likelihood.
  • Time travel is a theoretical possibility according to some interpretations of physics.

Variants and Related Words

• Theoretically (adverb): In a way that relates to theory; in theory.
  • Theoretically, the plan should work, but we need to test it.
• Theoretician (noun): A person who develops or studies the theoretical aspects of a subject.
  • He is a leading theoretician in the field of linguistics.

Synonyms

• Abstract: Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.
• Hypothetical: Based on a suggested idea or theory; supposed.
• Conceptual: Related to or based on mental concepts.

Antonyms

• Practical: Concerned with the actual doing or use of something rather than with theory and ideas.
• Applied: (Of a subject of study) put to practical use as opposed to being theoretical.
• Empirical: Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.

Related Phrases

• In theory: Used to say that something is supposed to be true or to happen according to a theory, but may not be true or happen in reality.
  • In theory, the algorithm is efficient, but its real-world performance is unknown.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. concerned with theories rather than their practical applications
   • theoretical physics
2. concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations
   • theoretical science

Từ đồng nghĩa

• theoretic