theory

CEFRB1

/ˈθɪə.ɹi/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    An explanation of how or why something happens.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    A coherent statement or set of ideas that explains observed facts or phenomena and correctly predicts new facts or phenomena not previously observed, or which sets out the laws and principles of something known or observed; a hypothesis confirmed by observati...

Examples

  • I think I have a theory about that.

  • In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
1

Also pronounced

  • /ˈt̪ʰɪjɵri/
  • /ˈθi.ə.ɹi/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. The underlying principles or methods of a given technical skill, art etc., as opposed to its practice.

  2. A description of an event or system that is considered to be accurate.

  3. A coherent statement or set of ideas that explains observed facts or phenomena and correctly predicts new facts or phenomena not previously observed, or which sets out the laws and principles of something known or observed; a hypothesis confirmed by observation, experiment etc.

More examples

In context

  • No serious historian today accepts this theory.

  • A theory is consistent if it has a model.

  • In its most proper acceptation, theory means the completed result of philosophical induction from experience.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Darwin's blank of evolution explains how species change over time.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

Borrowed from Middle French théorie, a learned borrowing from Late Latin theōria, borrowed from Ancient Greek θεωρία (theōría), from θεωρός (theōrós, “spectator”) + -ῐ́ᾱ (-ĭ́ā).