hypothetical
adj.adj. describing something that is based on an imagined idea or a guess rather than a real fact. You use this when you are talking about what might happen in a specific situation.
adj. based on or serving as a hypothesis; supposed rather than actual. Often used to describe scenarios or examples created for the purpose of discussion or theoretical analysis.
Let's look at a hypothetical situation where you win the lottery.
The professor used a hypothetical case study to help the students understand how the law applies in complex situations.
While the results are promising in a controlled environment, the hypothetical benefits of the new policy remain untested in a real-world economic setting.
From Ancient Greek ὑποθετικός (hupothetikós).
Typically placed before the noun it modifies; often paired with nouns like 'situation', 'scenario', or 'question'.