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theoretical

theoretical

133 6.3
Relating to ideas and basic rules rather than practical use
  • adjective
  • /θiˈɔrɪtɪkəl/
translation icon : teórico
  • Her research focused on the theoretical foundations of quantum mechanics rather than its applications.
  • a theoretical framework
  • theoretical and empirical
  • a theoretical model

So these are top theoretical physicists at CERN.

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Examples

  • First, we aim to set intervention process research within a broader theoretical and empirical framework.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Interventions within a service delivery model will depend, in part, upon the theoretical orientation of that model.

    Academic text (2011)
  • So this was our design, this theoretical design and what really this means.

  • And, you know, those are all highly theoretical ideas.

  • At the time, art needed no less a theoretical model of its history than politics.

    Academic text (2011)
  • But let me consider from a theoretical perspective what it is.

  • And so this opened up a whole series of theoretical pathways, right?

  • We tailored a few of the lectures and readings to provide the necessary theoretical background.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In this article, several strategies are laid out to approach words from theoretical and practical standpoints.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The model is intended as a theoretical framework, not a quantitative binning system.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

academic
vstheoretical
63 6.9

More about theory or small details than practical use

is neutral about practice and focuses on ideas
metaphysical
vstheoretical
  • Formal
7 9.9

Too abstract and not useful for real life

is about ideas and principles but less extreme in abstraction
theoretic
vstheoretical
  • Formal
2 6.8

Relating to ideas or theories rather than practical use

is about ideas and principles rather than practical use
theory-based
vstheoretical
6.4

Based on ideas and principles rather than practical work or tests

leans toward ideas and principles rather than real-world use
conceptional
vstheoretical
  • Formal
8.0

About ideas or general plans rather than practical details

stresses ideas and principles rather than practical use
academical
vstheoretical
  • Archaic
7.0

About ideas and study rather than practical use

focuses on ideas and principles rather than hands-on use

Antonyms

507 2.6

About how something works in real life rather than in ideas

empirical
  • Formal
62 5.9

Based on what you see or experience rather than on ideas

9 4.0

Relating to real life use rather than theory

Compounds

8.2

An idea that explains how something works in science or research

How Theoretical

speculative
26 6.7
theoretical
133 6.3
practical
507 2.6
applied
9 4.0

Surface Forms

theoretical positive
theoretically positive

Morphology

theoretical = theory (transparent) = theory + ical

Meaning is clearly derived from 'theory' with the productive adjective-forming suffix '-ical' meaning 'relating to theory'.

Etymology

Theoretical comes from the Greek word theoria, which meant 'looking' or 'thinking about' something and is the same root as theory. So, something theoretical is about ideas and thinking, not about doing or practical use.