Hypothetical
/ˌhaɪpəˈθɛtɪkəl/
Definitions
Relating to or based on a hypothesis; imagined or suggested but not necessarily real or true.
/ˌhaɪpəˈθɛtɪkəl/
Based on or serving as a hypothesis.
We need to consider the hypothetical implications of this new policy.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing detective. A hypothetical situation is like a 'what if' scenario. For example, 'What if the dog ate my homework?' That's hypothetical!
👶 For kids: Pretend! It's something we're talking about, but it might not really happen.
More Examples
The author presents a hypothetical situation in which the protagonist faces a moral challenge.
The company explored a hypothetical merger to assess its financial viability.
How It's Used
"The scientists created a hypothetical scenario to test their theory."
"The philosopher explored a hypothetical ethical dilemma."
Idioms & expressions
hypothetical question
A question based on a hypothetical situation.
"The lawyer asked a series of hypothetical questions to test the witness's credibility."
From Late Latin hypotheticus, from Greek hypothetikos, meaning "supposing, assuming." Related to "hypothesis."
The word gained prominence in scientific and philosophical discourse in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Memory tip
Think of a hypothesis - it's an idea we're *hypothetically* testing, not necessarily proven.
Word Origin
"To put under, to suppose"