theory

Nouns

• (n) 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
• (n) 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
  hypothesis, possibility,
• (n) 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

Synonyms

Words of close approximity