theoretical

Word family  noun theorist theory theorem theoretician adjective theoretical verb theorize adverb theoretically

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

Related topics: Hard science

theo·ret·i·cal /θɪəˈretɪkəl $ ˌθiːə-/ ●●○ W3 AWL (also theoretic /θɪəˈretɪk $ ˌθiːə-/) adjective  1  Hrelating to the study of ideas, especially scientific ideas, rather than to practical uses of the ideas or practical experience 理论的 → theory, practical, applied theoretical physics 理论物理 Aristotle’s theoretical model of the universe 亚里士多德有关宇宙的理论模型 She has theoretical knowledge of teaching, but no practical experience. 她有教学方面的理论知识，但没有实际经验。2  IDEAa theoretical situation or condition could exist but does not really exist 理论上的；推想的，臆测的 SYN hypothetical Equality between men and women in our society is still only theoretical. 在我们这个社会里，男女平等仍然停留在理论上。 a theoretical risk of an explosion 理论上的爆炸风险

Examples from the Corpus

theoretical• There is a theoretical chance of infection, but it is not very likely.• The general theoretical discussion on concepts and definitions is therefore - perhaps surprisingly - put at the end.• Governments, like theoretical economists, tend to be mainly concerned with the short run.• There are a number of theoretical explanations for the term structure of interest rates.• Sometimes a theoretical framework prescribes that particular factors are considered causally prior to others.• Is the measurement true to the theoretical meaning embodied in the variable as a concept?• theoretical research• This meant that students had the theoretical right to go to any school they wished.• Heat flow modelling was based on the matching of calculated tectonic subsidence profiles with theoretical stretching curves.

theo·ret·i·cal adjectiveChineseSyllable  

Corpus ideas, relating the study scientific especially ideas, than of to rather

theoretical
theo‧ret‧i‧cal W3 AC /θɪəˈretɪkəl $ ˌθiːə-/ (also theo‧ret‧ic /θɪəˈretɪk $ ˌθiːə-/) adjective1. relating to the study of ideas, especially scientific ideas, rather than with practical uses of the ideas or practical experience ⇨ theory, practical, applied:
    theoretical physics
    Aristotle’s theoretical model of the universe
    She has theoretical knowledge of teaching, but no practical experience.
2. a theoretical situation or condition could exist but does not really exist
   SYN  hypothetical:
    Equality between men and women in our society is still only theoretical.
    a theoretical risk of an explosion

the·or·etic·al AW BrE /ˌθɪəˈretɪkl/ 🔊NAmE /ˌθiːəˈretɪkl/ 🔊 adjective [usually before noun] concerned with the ideas and principles on which a particular subject is based, rather than with practice and experiment 理论上的◆a theoretical approach理论研究方法◆theoretical physics理论物理◆The first year provides students with a sound theoretical basis for later study. 第一年为学生以后的学习奠定坚实的理论基础。🔊🔊 OPP experimental, practical that could possibly exist, happen or be true, although this is unlikely 理论上存在的；假设的◆It's a theoretical possibility. 这是理论上存在的可能性。🔊🔊▸ the·or·etic·al·ly AW BrE /ˌθɪəˈretɪkli/ 🔊NAmE /ˌθiːəˈretɪkli/ 🔊 adverb◆theoretically sound conclusions理论上无懈可击的结论◆It is theoretically possible for him to overrule their decision, but highly unlikely. 按理说他可以否定他们的决定，但是可能性很小。🔊🔊