theoretical

Pronunciation

• IPA: UK /θɪəˈret.ɪ.kəl/, US /ˌθiː.əˈret̬.ɪ.kəl/^[1]

Etymology

It is formed in English from Late Latin from Latin theōrēticus (“of or pertaining to theory”) and -al,^[2][3] from Greek θεωρητικός (theōrētikós, “contemplative, speculative”),^[2][3][4] from theōrētós, that may be seen or considered, from θεωρέω (theōréō), to consider, look at (see theory).^[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Contemplative, a sense now obsolete: 1616, in Bullokar's English Expositor.^[2][5][3]

Semantic evolution

Aristotle contrasted the Greek word with praktikós, practical.^[3] The sense relating to or consisting in theory is from before 1652,^[5] and existing only in theory, hypothetical, from 1826.^[5] Of people, given to theorizing, is from 1840.^[5]

Timeline

• 1616 – contemplative.^[2][5]
• before 1652 – relating to theory.^[5]
• 1826 – existing only in theory.^[5]
• 1840 – of people, given to theory.^[5]

Modern meaning

Adjective

1. Of, relating to or based on theory: theoretical physics.
2. Existing only in theory; hypothetical or not practical.
3. Given to theorizing; speculative.

Word family

• theoretically
• antitheoretical
• atheoretical
• untheoretical
• nontheoretical

Related words

• theory
• theorem
• practical

References

1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c d e Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
3. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press