Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

theoretical

 adjective
     
Related topics: Hard Science
theo‧ret‧i‧cal W3 also theo‧ret‧ic
1H relating to the study of ideas, especially scientific ideas, rather than with practical uses of the ideas or practical experience [↪ theory, practical, applied]:
theoretical physics
Aristotle's theoretical model of the universe
She has theoretical knowledge of teaching, but no practical experience.
2 a theoretical situation or condition could exist but does not really exist:
Equality between men and women in our society is still only theoretical.
a theoretical risk of an explosion
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
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