Meaning & use
theoretical
Concerned with or based on theory and ideas rather than practical application or direct experience.
See it in a sentence
The course focuses on theoretical physics rather than laboratory experiments.
In theoretical terms, the plan makes sense, but it may fail once put into practice.
A note on using this word
Theoretical often contrasts with practical or empirical, highlighting a gap between an idea and its real-world application.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
practicalapplied
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