theory

/'θiəri/

Thân thiện

A student writes a scientific theory on the classroom whiteboard.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A system of ideas intended to explain something: A coherent set of principles or statements used to explain a phenomenon or a group of phenomena.
   • A speculative or unproven idea: A belief, plan, or suggestion that is proposed as a possible explanation or course of action, but which may not be proven.
   • The abstract principles of a subject of study: The general or abstract principles of a field of knowledge, as opposed to its practical application.

Examples of Usage

• As a system of ideas:
  • Einstein's theory of relativity revolutionized physics.
  • The theory of plate tectonics explains the movement of continents.
• As a speculative idea:
  • I have a theory about why the computer keeps crashing.
  • Her theory is that he forgot about the meeting.
• As abstract principles:
  • The course covers both the theory and practice of language teaching.
  • It sounds good in theory, but it may not work in reality.

Advanced Usage

• "In theory": Used to describe what is supposed to happen according to an idea or principle, often implying it may not happen in practice.
  • In theory, the plan is flawless, but we must consider real-world complications.
• "To have a theory about something": To hold a personal, often unproven, explanation for something.
  • The detective had a theory about who committed the crime.

Variants and Related Words

• Theoretical (adj): Concerned with or involving the theory of a subject; existing only in theory, not proven in practice.
  • Theoretical physics can be very abstract.
  • The benefits are still purely theoretical.
• Theorize (verb): To form a theory or speculate about something.
  • Scientists theorize about the origins of the universe.
• Theorist (noun): A person who develops or studies theories.
  • She is a leading theorist in the field of economics.

Synonyms

• Hypothesis: A proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation. (More tentative than a well-established ).
• Doctrine: A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a group, such as a church or political party.
• Concept: An abstract idea; a general notion.

Related Phrases

• Conspiracy theory: A belief that some secret but influential organization is responsible for an event or phenomenon.
  • He was known for promoting wild conspiracy theories.
• Game theory: A branch of mathematics concerned with the analysis of strategies for dealing with competitive situations.
  • Economists often use game theory to model market behavior.

Related Idioms

• "It's just a theory": A common but often misleading phrase used to dismiss a well-substantiated scientific theory by incorrectly equating it with a mere guess or speculation.
  • Evolution isn't "just a theory"; it is a theory strongly supported by vast evidence.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a belief that can guide behavior
   • the architect has a theory that more is less
   • they killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales
2. a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena
   • a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory
   • he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices
3. a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
   • theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses
   • true in fact and theory

Từ đồng nghĩa

• hypothesis
• possibility