the·o·ret·i·cal

[thee-uh-ret-i-kuhl]
adjective
1.
of, pertaining to, or consisting in theory; not practical ( distinguished from applied ).
2.
existing only in theory; hypothetical.
3.
given to, forming, or dealing with theories; speculative.
Also, the·o·ret·ic.


Origin:
1610–20; theoretic (< Late Latin theōrēticus < Greek theōrētikós, equivalent to theōrēt(ós) to be seen (verbid of theōreîn to view) + -ikos -ic) + -al1

the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverb
an·ti·the·o·ret·i·cal, adjective
an·ti·the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverb
non·the·o·ret·ic, adjective
non·the·o·ret·i·cal, adjective
non·the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverb
un·the·o·ret·ic, adjective
un·the·o·ret·i·cal, adjective
un·the·o·ret·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To theoretical
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Theoretical is always a great word to know.
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a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
Collins
World English Dictionary
theoretical or theoretic (ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪkəl, ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪk) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  of or based on theory
2.  lacking practical application or actual existence; hypothetical
3.  using or dealing in theory; impractical
 
theoretic or theoretic
 
adj
 
theo'retically or theoretic
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

theoretical
1616, from L.L. theoreticus "of or pertaining to theory" (c.397), from Gk. theoretikos "contemplative, pertaining to theory" (by Aristotle contrasted to praktikos), from theoretos "that may be seen or considered," from theorein "to consider, look at" (see theory).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

theoretical the·o·ret·i·cal (thē'ə-rět'ĭ-kəl)
adj.

  1. Of, relating to, or based on theory.

  2. Restricted to theory; not practical.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Example sentences
It's not easy for such a device to cross any serious border, but the
  theoretical threat remains.
Decisions of this kind should be made not so much on theoretical grounds as on
  the basis of experience.
But it's always interesting to have theoretical predictions confirmed.
His strength was in theoretical physics, but he was being forced to sit in a
  laboratory making thin films of beryllium.
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