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Definition of hypothesis

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The Difference Between Hypothesis and Theory

A hypothesis is an assumption, an idea that is proposed for the sake of argument so that it can be tested to see if it might be true.

In the scientific method, the hypothesis is constructed before any applicable research has been done, apart from a basic background review. You ask a question, read up on what has been studied before, and then form a hypothesis.

A hypothesis is usually tentative; it's an assumption or suggestion made strictly for the objective of being tested.

A theory , in contrast, is a principle that has been formed as an attempt to explain things that have already been substantiated by data. It is used in the names of a number of principles accepted in the scientific community, such as the Big Bang Theory . Because of the rigors of experimentation and control, it is understood to be more likely to be true than a hypothesis is.

In non-scientific use, however, hypothesis and theory are often used interchangeably to mean simply an idea, speculation, or hunch, with theory being the more common choice.

Since this casual use does away with the distinctions upheld by the scientific community, hypothesis and theory are prone to being wrongly interpreted even when they are encountered in scientific contexts—or at least, contexts that allude to scientific study without making the critical distinction that scientists employ when weighing hypotheses and theories.

The most common occurrence is when theory is interpreted—and sometimes even gleefully seized upon—to mean something having less truth value than other scientific principles. (The word law applies to principles so firmly established that they are almost never questioned, such as the law of gravity.)

This mistake is one of projection: since we use theory in general to mean something lightly speculated, then it's implied that scientists must be talking about the same level of uncertainty when they use theory to refer to their well-tested and reasoned principles.

The distinction has come to the forefront particularly on occasions when the content of science curricula in schools has been challenged—notably, when a school board in Georgia put stickers on textbooks stating that evolution was "a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things." As Kenneth R. Miller, a cell biologist at Brown University, has said , a theory "doesn’t mean a hunch or a guess. A theory is a system of explanations that ties together a whole bunch of facts. It not only explains those facts, but predicts what you ought to find from other observations and experiments.”

While theories are never completely infallible, they form the basis of scientific reasoning because, as Miller said "to the best of our ability, we’ve tested them, and they’ve held up."

• proposition
• supposition

hypothesis , theory , law mean a formula derived by inference from scientific data that explains a principle operating in nature.

hypothesis implies insufficient evidence to provide more than a tentative explanation.

theory implies a greater range of evidence and greater likelihood of truth.

law implies a statement of order and relation in nature that has been found to be invariable under the same conditions.

Examples of hypothesis in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypothesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Greek, from hypotithenai to put under, suppose, from hypo- + tithenai to put — more at do

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hypothesis

• counter - hypothesis
• nebular hypothesis
• null hypothesis
• planetesimal hypothesis
• Whorfian hypothesis

Articles Related to hypothesis

This is the Difference Between a...

This is the Difference Between a Hypothesis and a Theory

In scientific reasoning, they're two completely different things

Dictionary Entries Near hypothesis

hypothermia

hypothesize

Cite this Entry

“Hypothesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothesis. Accessed 22 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of hypothesis, medical definition, medical definition of hypothesis, more from merriam-webster on hypothesis.

Nglish: Translation of hypothesis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of hypothesis for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hypothesis

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Definition of hypothesis noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• to formulate/confirm a hypothesis
• a hypothesis about the function of dreams
• There is little evidence to support these hypotheses.
• formulate/​advance a theory/​hypothesis
• build/​construct/​create/​develop a simple/​theoretical/​mathematical model
• develop/​establish/​provide/​use a theoretical/​conceptual framework
• advance/​argue/​develop the thesis that…
• explore an idea/​a concept/​a hypothesis
• make a prediction/​an inference
• base a prediction/​your calculations on something
• investigate/​evaluate/​accept/​challenge/​reject a theory/​hypothesis/​model
• design an experiment/​a questionnaire/​a study/​a test
• do research/​an experiment/​an analysis
• make observations/​measurements/​calculations
• carry out/​conduct/​perform an experiment/​a test/​a longitudinal study/​observations/​clinical trials
• run an experiment/​a simulation/​clinical trials
• repeat an experiment/​a test/​an analysis
• replicate a study/​the results/​the findings
• observe/​study/​examine/​investigate/​assess a pattern/​a process/​a behaviour
• fund/​support the research/​project/​study
• seek/​provide/​get/​secure funding for research
• collect/​gather/​extract data/​information
• yield data/​evidence/​similar findings/​the same results
• analyse/​examine the data/​soil samples/​a specimen
• consider/​compare/​interpret the results/​findings
• fit the data/​model
• confirm/​support/​verify a prediction/​a hypothesis/​the results/​the findings
• prove a conjecture/​hypothesis/​theorem
• draw/​make/​reach the same conclusions
• read/​review the records/​literature
• describe/​report an experiment/​a study
• present/​publish/​summarize the results/​findings
• present/​publish/​read/​review/​cite a paper in a scientific journal
• Her hypothesis concerns the role of electromagnetic radiation.
• Her study is based on the hypothesis that language simplification is possible.
• It is possible to make a hypothesis on the basis of this graph.
• None of the hypotheses can be rejected at this stage.
• Scientists have proposed a bold hypothesis.
• She used this data to test her hypothesis
• The hypothesis predicts that children will perform better on task A than on task B.
• The results confirmed his hypothesis on the use of modal verbs.
• These observations appear to support our working hypothesis.
• a speculative hypothesis concerning the nature of matter
• an interesting hypothesis about the development of language
• Advances in genetics seem to confirm these hypotheses.
• His hypothesis about what dreams mean provoked a lot of debate.
• Research supports the hypothesis that language skills are centred in the left side of the brain.
• The survey will be used to test the hypothesis that people who work outside the home are fitter and happier.
• This economic model is really a working hypothesis.
• speculative
• concern something
• be based on something
• predict something
• on a/​the hypothesis
• hypothesis about
• hypothesis concerning

Questions about grammar and vocabulary?

Find the answers with Practical English Usage online, your indispensable guide to problems in English.

• It would be pointless to engage in hypothesis before we have the facts.

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How to pronounce hypothesis in American English ( 1 out of 10903 ):

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Definition:

Click on any word below to get its definition:, nearby words:, having trouble pronouncing 'hypothesis' learn how to pronounce one of the nearby words below:.

• hypothetical
• hypertension
• hypothalamus
• hypocritical
• hypothetically
• hypothesized
• hypothesize
• hypotheticals
• hyperactive
• hypoglycemia
• hypertensive
• hypersensitivity

When you begin to speak English, it's essential to get used to the common sounds of the language, and the best way to do this is to check out the phonetics. Below is the UK transcription for 'hypothesis' :

• Modern IPA: hɑjpɔ́θəsɪs
• Traditional IPA: haɪˈpɒθəsɪs
• 4 syllables : "hy" + "POTH" + "uh" + "sis"

Test your pronunciation on words that have sound similarities with 'hypothesis' :

• hopelessness

Tips to improve your English pronunciation:

Here are a few tips that should help you perfect your pronunciation of 'hypothesis' :.

• Sound it Out : Break down the word 'hypothesis' into its individual sounds "hy" + "poth" + "uh" + "sis". Say these sounds out loud, exaggerating them at first. Practice until you can consistently produce them clearly.
• Self-Record & Review : Record yourself saying 'hypothesis' in sentences. Listen back to identify areas for improvement.
• YouTube Pronunciation Guides : Search YouTube for how to pronounce 'hypothesis' in English .
• Pick Your Accent : Mixing multiple accents can be confusing, so pick one accent ( US or UK ) and stick to it for smoother learning.

Here are a few tips to level up your english pronunciation:

• Mimic the Experts : Immerse yourself in English by listening to audiobooks, podcasts, or movies with subtitles. Try shadowing—listen to a short sentence and repeat it immediately, mimicking the intonation and pronunciation.
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hypothesis example in a phrase

three-part hypothesis

to negate a hypothesis

Definition of hypothesis

• a proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations
• a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena
• a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

Synonyms of hypothesis

• assumption pronunciation assumption [ en ]
• notion pronunciation notion [ en ]
• presumption pronunciation presumption [ en ]
• supposition pronunciation supposition [ en ]
• conjecture pronunciation conjecture [ en ]
• assuming pronunciation assuming [ en ]

Can you pronounce it better? Or with a different accent? Pronounce hypothesis in English

Translation of hypothesis

Can you pronounce it better? Or with a different accent? Pronounce hypothesis in Latin

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An educated guess or prediction that can be tested to determine its validity.

• Scientists form a hypothesis before conducting experiments to investigate a specific phenomenon.

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Phonetic spelling of hypotheses

hy-pothe-ses 0 rating rating ratings Private hy-pothe-ses 0 rating rating ratings Harold Jacobi hahy-poth-uh-sis 0 rating rating ratings Joaquin Parisian hy-po-theses 0 rating rating ratings Yolanda Pagac

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Examples of in a sentence

Further, from an early period in his Medicinische Psychologie (1852) he reinforced the transcendental idealism of Kant by a general hypothesis of local signs, containing the subordinate hypotheses, that we cannot directly perceive extension either within ourselves or without; that spatial bodies 0 rating rating ratings Zandile Hlatshwayo

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hypothesis noun

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What does the noun hypothesis mean?

There are seven meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun hypothesis , two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

How common is the noun hypothesis ?

How is the noun hypothesis pronounced?

British english, u.s. english, where does the noun hypothesis come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the noun hypothesis is in the late 1500s.

OED's earliest evidence for hypothesis is from 1596, in the writing of Earl of Essex.

hypothesis is a borrowing from Greek.

Etymons: Greek ὑπόθεσις .

Nearby entries

• hypothecarious, adj. 1726–
• hypothecary, adj. 1656–
• hypothecate, v. 1693–
• hypothecation, n. 1681–
• hypothecative, adj. 1856–
• hypothecator, n. 1828–
• hypothecium, n. 1866–
• hypothenar, adj. 1706–
• hypothermia, n. 1886–
• hypothermic, adj. 1898–
• hypothesis, n. 1596–
• hypothesist, n. 1788–
• hypothesize, v. 1738–
• hypothesizer, n. 1833–
• hypothetic, adj. & n. a1680–
• hypothetical, adj. & n. 1588–
• hypothetically, adv. 1628–
• hypothetico-deductive, adj. 1912–
• hypothetico-deductively, adv. 1953–
• hypothetico-disjunctive, adj. & n. a1856–
• hypothetist, n. 1852–

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Meaning & use

Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for hypothesis, n..

hypothesis, n. was first published in 1899; not yet revised.

hypothesis, n. was last modified in July 2023.

Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:

• corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into hypothesis, n. in July 2023.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1899)

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OED Second Edition (1989)

• View hypothesis in OED Second Edition

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Citation details

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(English pronunciations of hypotheses from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus and from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary , both sources © Cambridge University Press)

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