theory
/θˈɪri/
Explore definitions, synonyms, and language insights of theory
Definitions
Noun
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena; "theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses"; "true in fact and theory"
Noun
a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena; "a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory"; "he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices"
Noun
a belief that can guide behavior; "the architect has a theory that more is less"; "they killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales"
More Specific Terms
assumption
atomic theory
atomism
atomist theory
atomistic theory
blastogenesis
conjecture
economic theory
egoism
field theory
framework
gemmule
historicism
hodgepodge
holism
holistic theory
hypothetical
jumble
model
patchwork
preformation
reductionism
scientific theory
speculation
structural anthropology
structural sociology
structuralism
supposal
supposition
theoretical account
theory of preformation