hypothesis

noun

(sciences) A tentative conjecture explaining an observation, phenomenon or scientific problem and that can be tested by further observation, investigation, or experimentation.

(general) An assumption taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation.

(grammar) The antecedent of a conditional statement.

Roots

hupohypo- · Greek · under, below tithemi-thes · Greek · place, put

Synonyms for hypothesis

theoryn suppositionn conjecturen surmisev speculationn supposaln postulatev postulationn assumptionn presuppositionn premisen inferencen

Synonyms & related words for hypothesis

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of hypothesis — including theory, supposition, conjecture, surmise, speculation, supposal. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to hypothesis

Explore words related to hypothesis — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include hypotheses, suppositive, hypothesizes, hypothesized, hypothesizing, suppositional, conjecturer, hypothetic. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for hypothesis

Common synonyms for hypothesis include theory, supposition, conjecture, surmise, speculation, supposal, postulate, postulation — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does hypothesis come from?

The word hypothesis breaks down into 2 roots of Greek origin: hypo-, from Greek hupo (“under, below”); and -thes, from Greek tithemi (“place, put”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.