Word
theoretically
Phoneticsthe·o·ret·i·cal·ly, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌθiɝˈɛtɪkəɫi/
UK/θiəɹˈɛtɪkli/
Sentence adverb
Definitions
01hypothetically
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. used to say that something could happen or be true, but it has not been proven yet.
adv. used to describe a situation that is possible according to a set of rules or assumptions, though it may not be the case in practice.
“Theoretically, the journey should only take two hours, but the traffic is often terrible.”
“Theoretically, the new engine design should reduce fuel consumption by twenty percent, though real-world testing has yet to confirm these laboratory results.”
Usage
often used at the beginning of a sentence to set a hypothetical frame.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02in a scientific or formal way
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
adv. in a way that relates to the ideas or principles of a subject rather than the practice.
adv. in a manner relating to the theory or underlying principles of a specific field of study.
“The students studied the subject theoretically before they started the practical lab work.”
“The paper explores the problem theoretically, establishing a mathematical framework before suggesting any specific engineering applications.”
Usage
frequently appears in academic writing to distinguish conceptual work from applied work.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “theoretically” in context.
Adjective
01. theoretically possible
“It is theoretically possible to finish the project by Friday, but we would need more staff.”
adv + adj
Real-World Examples
“To do so, they simulated theoretically balanced matches, with both teams equally strong and differing only in home-field advantage.” “The algorithms can perform many operations at the same time, almost as fast as is theoretically possible.” Etymology
From theoretical + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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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