Word
hypothetical
Phoneticshy·po·thet·i·cal, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌhaɪpəˈθɛtəkəɫ/
UK/hˌaɪpəθˈɛtɪkəl/
Definitions
01imagined or theoretical
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
adj. describes a situation that is not real but is imagined to help explain an idea.
adj. based on a hypothesis or conjecture rather than established facts. Often used to describe theoretical scenarios in academic or legal discourse.
“The teacher asked a hypothetical question about what we would do with a million dollars.”
“The researchers discussed a hypothetical scenario in which global temperatures rose by four degrees, purely to test the limits of their climate model.”
Synonyms
02conditional
C1 · Advanced Law Formal · Technical
adj. depending on something else happening first.
adj. contingent upon a specific antecedent or condition; expressing a condition in logic.
“The lawyer argued that the witness's answer was based on a hypothetical event that never occurred.”
“The contract included a hypothetical clause that would only be triggered if the primary supplier declared bankruptcy within the first fiscal year.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03a 'what if' situation
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Academic · Formal
n. an imagined example or situation used to test an idea.
n. a hypothetical proposition, statement, or situation. Often used in the phrase 'dealing in hypotheticals'.
“Let's stop talking about hypotheticals and look at the data we actually have.”
“The debate moved away from concrete policy into a series of complex hypotheticals that confused the general audience.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “hypothetical” in context.
Adjective
01. hypothetical scenario
“During the interview, I was asked how I would handle a hypothetical scenario involving a difficult customer.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“While this is a hypothetical scenario, it represents a very common pattern of artificial intelligence use by teens.” “Then they saw a hypothetical social media post that opposed their view.” Etymology
From Ancient Greek ὑποθετικός (hupothetikós).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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