Hypothesis Meaning
/haɪˈpɒθɪsɪs/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA tentative conjecture explaining an observation, phenomenon or scientific problem and that can be tested by further observation, investigation, or experimentation.
nounAn assumption taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation.
Sentence Examples
We cannot conceive science without a hypothesis.
The result confirmed my hypothesis.
Our experiment proved that the initial hypothesis was correct.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The researcher proposed a new ____ to account for the strange data.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Scientists are currently testing the ____ that the new drug can slow down the progression of the disease.
Word Origin & History
Recorded since 1596, from Middle French hypothese, from Late Latin hypothesis, from Ancient Greek ὑπόθεσις (hupóthesis, “base, basis of an argument, supposition”, literally “a placing under”), itself from ὑποτίθημι (hupotíthēmi, “to set before, suggest”), from ὑπό (hupó, “below”) + τίθημι (títhēmi, “to put, place”). Compare hypothec.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"This hypothesis goes by many names, including group resistence, the threshold effect, and the gender paradox. Because the hypothesis holds such wide appeal, it is worth revisiting the logic behind it. The hypothesis is built on the factual observation that fewer females than males act antisocially."
— 2001 September 27, Terrie E. Moffitt, Avshalom Caspi, Michael Rutter, Phil A. Silva, Sex Differences in Antisocial Behaviour: Conduct Disorder, Delinquency, and Violence in the Dunedin Longitudinal Study, Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 151:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The researcher proposed a new ____ to account for the strange data.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Scientists are currently testing the ____ that the new drug can slow down the progression of the disease.