empirical

noun

A measurement or result achieved by empirical means.

adjective

Pertaining to or based on experience, as opposed to theory.

Pertaining to, derived from, or testable by observations made using the physical senses or using instruments which extend the senses.

(philosophy of science) Verifiable by means of scientific experimentation.

Roots

empeiriaempir- · Greek · experience

Synonyms for empirical

experientialadj positivisticadj positivistn factualadj experimentaladj

Synonyms & related words for empirical

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Words related to empirical

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Synonyms for empirical

Common synonyms for empirical include experiential, positivistic, positivist, factual, experimental — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does empirical come from?

The word empirical breaks down into one root of Greek origin: the root empir-, from Greek empeiria (“experience”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.