Words / C1

hyp-uh-THET-ikl/ˌhaɪpəˈθetɪkl/

Hypothetical means imagined for argument, not established: a hypothetical case, hypothetically. Hypothesis (already in the dictionary) is the proposed explanation; hypothetical is the adjective of “what if”. Theoretical can mean not yet applied. Do not put a hypothetical in the results table.

Meaning

Based on a possible situation, not on proven fact.

Examples

• “Keep the hypothetical in the discussion; the table is counts.”
• “Keep the hypothetical in the discussion; the table only has counts.”
• “A hypothesis is what you test; a hypothetical example is a teaching what-if.”

Good to know

Imagined for the sake of argument. Noun cousin: hypothesis. Adverb: hypothetically. Keep out of “results”. Everyday: imaginary.

Near in meaning

imaginary

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