• 1.1 Etymology
  • 1.2 Pronunciation
  • 1.3.1 Synonyms
  • 1.3.2 Derived terms
  • 1.3.3 Translations
  • 2.1 Etymology
  • 2.2 Pronunciation
  • 2.3.1 Declension

Recorded since 1596, from Middle French hypothese , from Late Latin hypothesis , from Ancient Greek ὑπόθεσις ( hupóthesis , “ base, basis of an argument, supposition ” , literally “ a placing under ” ) , itself from ὑποτίθημι ( hupotíthēmi , “ I set before, suggest ” ) , from ὑπό ( hupó , “ below ” ) + τίθημι ( títhēmi , “ I put, place ” ) .

Pronunciation

  • ( UK ) IPA ( key ) : /haɪˈpɒθɪsɪs/ , /hɪˈpɒθɪsɪs/ , /həˈpɒθɪsɪs/ , /-əsəs/ , /-əsɪs/
  • ( US ) IPA ( key ) : /haɪˈpɑː.θə.sɪs/
Audio ( ): ( )

hypothesis ( plural hypotheses )

  • 2001 September 27, Terrie E. Moffitt, Avshalom Caspi, Michael Rutter, Phil A. Silva, Sex Differences in Antisocial Behaviour: Conduct Disorder, Delinquency, and Violence in the Dunedin Longitudinal Study ‎ [1] , Cambridge University Press , →ISBN , page 151 : This hypothesis goes by many names, including group resistence, the threshold effect, and the gender paradox. Because the hypothesis holds such wide appeal, it is worth revisiting the logic behind it. The hypothesis is built on the factual observation that fewer females than males act antisocially.
  • 2005 , Ronald H. Pine, http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/intelligent_design_or_no_model_creationism , 15 October 2005: Far too many of us have been taught in school that a scientist, in the course of trying to figure something out, will first come up with a " hypothesis " (a guess or surmise—not necessarily even an "educated" guess). ... [But t]he word " hypothesis " should be used, in science, exclusively for a reasoned, sensible, knowledge-informed explanation for why some phenomenon exists or occurs. An hypothesis can be as yet untested; can have already been tested; may have been falsified; may have not yet been falsified, although tested; or may have been tested in a myriad of ways countless times without being falsified; and it may come to be universally accepted by the scientific community. An understanding of the word " hypothesis ," as used in science, requires a grasp of the principles underlying Occam's Razor and Karl Popper's thought in regard to " falsifiability "—including the notion that any respectable scientific hypothesis must, in principle, be "capable of" being proven wrong (if it should, in fact, just happen to be wrong), but none can ever be proved to be true. One aspect of a proper understanding of the word " hypothesis ," as used in science, is that only a vanishingly small percentage of hypotheses could ever potentially become a theory.
  • ( general ) An assumption taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation .
  • ( grammar ) The antecedent of a conditional statement .
  • supposition
  • educated guess
  • See also Thesaurus:supposition

Derived terms

  • alternative hypothesis
  • aquatic ape hypothesis
  • Avogadro's hypothesis
  • conspiracy hypothesis
  • continuum hypothesis
  • cosmic censorship hypothesis
  • documentary hypothesis
  • efficient market hypothesis
  • ergodic hypothesis
  • expectations hypothesis
  • Fisher hypothesis
  • Gaia hypothesis
  • generalized continuum hypothesis
  • God hypothesis
  • Griesbach hypothesis
  • hypothesize
  • hypothetical
  • hypothetically
  • induction hypothesis
  • inductive hypothesis
  • interface hypothesis
  • just-world hypothesis
  • level-ordering hypothesis
  • mafia hypothesis
  • Medea hypothesis
  • Monro-Kellie hypothesis
  • null hypothesis
  • Omphalos hypothesis
  • Out of India hypothesis
  • ovulatory shift hypothesis
  • permanent income hypothesis
  • Prout's hypothesis
  • Rare Earth hypothesis
  • Red Queen hypothesis
  • Riemann hypothesis
  • Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
  • Schinzel's hypothesis H
  • sexy son hypothesis
  • simulation hypothesis
  • swoon hypothesis
  • trickle-down hypothesis
  • trickle down hypothesis
  • Wellhausen's hypothesis
  • working hypothesis
  • zombie hypothesis

Translations

        (farḍiyya)   (varkac),   (hipotʻez) ,   (hipóteza),   (prypuščénnje)   (onukolpo)     (hipotéza)     (gaa syut ), (gaa cit ), (gaa ding )   (jiǎshuō),   (jiǎshè),   (jiǎdìng)     ,             ,                   (hiṗoteza)         (ypóthesi)   (hipotezá),     (hash'ará)     (parikalpanā)                 (かせつ, kasetsu) (gipoteza),   (boljam)   (sɑmmaʼtekam)   (gaseol) (grîmane) ,   (gipoteza)   (som mut ti thān)             (hipotéza)     (taamaglal), (gipotez)           (farzya)   (farziye),   (engâšte),   (pendâšte)     ,                 (gipóteza),     (predpoložénije)         ,             , (farziya), (gipoteza) (gipoteza)   (sǒm-mút-dtì-tǎan)   ,   ,     (hipóteza),   (prypúščennja),   (zasnóvok)   (farziyā) (gipotëza)   ,     ( )
  (prypuščénnje)     (predpoložénie)       (jiǎshè),   (jiǎdìng),   (jiǎshuō),   (qiántí)     ,           ,     ,   ,               (hanakhá)   ,         (かてい, katei)   (gajeong) (grîmane) (takdir)             ,         (predpoložénije),     (gipóteza)           (prypúščennja)   ,  
      (jiǎshè)               (gajeongbeop)            
)     )     , )   , )   )   (farziye), )   (negare) )     )     )  

Borrowed from Ancient Greek ὑπόθεσις ( hupóthesis , “ hypothesis ” , noun ) .

  • ( Classical Latin ) IPA ( key ) : /hyˈpo.tʰe.sis/ , [hʏˈpɔt̪ʰɛs̠ɪs̠]
  • ( modern Italianate Ecclesiastical ) IPA ( key ) : /iˈpo.te.sis/ , [iˈpɔːt̪es̬is]

hypothesis   f ( genitive hypothesis or hypotheseōs or hypothesios ) ; third declension

Case Singular Plural









1 Found sometimes in Medieval and New Latin.

  • There is also genitive plural hypotheseōn .
  • The genitive singular is also spelled hypotheseωs and the genitive plural hypotheseωn .

hypothesis in etymology

  • English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European
  • English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰeh₁-
  • English terms borrowed from Middle French
  • English terms derived from Middle French
  • English terms derived from Late Latin
  • English terms derived from Ancient Greek
  • English 4-syllable words
  • English terms with IPA pronunciation
  • English terms with audio links
  • English lemmas
  • English nouns
  • English countable nouns
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  • en:Sciences
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  • Latin terms borrowed from Ancient Greek
  • Latin terms derived from Ancient Greek
  • Latin 4-syllable words
  • Latin terms with IPA pronunciation
  • Latin lemmas
  • Latin nouns
  • Latin third declension nouns
  • Latin feminine nouns in the third declension
  • Latin terms spelled with Y
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Definition of hypothesis

Did you know.

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

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 30 Aug. 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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hypothesis etymology

  • Derived from Ancient Greek "hypothesis" (ὑπόθεσις), meaning "a placing under" or "a foundation"

Meaning and Origin:

Ancient Greek: * In ancient Greek, "hypothesis" initially referred to a foundation or premise upon which an argument was built. * It was used in mathematics to denote a proposition that could be assumed without proof to facilitate the derivation of other conclusions.

Modern Science: * In modern scientific usage, a hypothesis is an unproven or tentative explanation for a phenomenon or observation. * It is a proposed solution to a problem that is based on available evidence and logical reasoning. * A hypothesis typically takes the form of a prediction that can be tested through further research.

Function of a Hypothesis in Science:

  • Helps scientists organize and focus their research efforts.
  • Provides a clear direction for data collection and analysis.
  • Can be revised or rejected based on experimental results.
  • Drives further inquiry and advances scientific knowledge.

A hypothesis might state: "If the temperature of water is raised, then the rate of chemical reaction will increase." * This hypothesis can then be tested through experiments and empirical data can be collected to support or refute it.

hypothesis relate terms

Etymology The word fact is derived from the Latin word factum which means a thing

Etymology The word feat comes from the Late Latin word factum which means deed or

Etymology The term matter of fact has its roots in the Latin phrase res facti Res

Etymology The word theory comes from the Greek word θεωρία theōría meaning

Etymology Derived from Ancient Greek hypothesis ὑπόθεσις meaning a placi

Etymology From Ancient Greek ὑπόθεσις hupóthesis meaning something placed

Etymology The word supposition comes from the Latin word supponere which means to p

Etymology refers to the study of the origin and development of words It involves tracing

Tendential Etymology Meaning Tendential etymology refers to the practice of deriving the

Etymology refers to the history and origin of words including their roots derivations a

Etymology The term empiricism is derived from the Greek word empeiria which means

Etymology The word opinion originates from the Latin word opinio which means belief

Etymology The word speculation comes from the Latin word speculatio which means spy

Etymology The word conception derives from the Latin conceptio which means taking t

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hypothesis in etymology

  • Martin W. Bauer 2  

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The word “hypothesis” is of ancient Greek origin and composed of two parts: “hypo” for “under,” and “thesis” for “to put there”; in Latin, this translated “to suppose” or “supposition”; made up of “sub” [under] and “positum” [put there]. It refers to something that we put there, maybe to start with, maybe to stay with us as an installation. Hence in modern English we say “ let us hypothesize, suppose,” or “let us put it that … .,” and then we start the argument by developing implications and reaching conclusions. The term “hypothesis” marks a space of possibilities in several ways. Firstly, it is the uncertain starting point from which firmer conclusions might be drawn. Public reasoning examines how, from uncertain hypotheses, neither true nor false, we can nevertheless reach useful conclusions. Secondly, the hypothesis is the end point of a logical process of firming up on reality through scientific enquiry. Scientific methodology makes hypothesis testing the gold standard...

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Bauer, M.W. (2022). Hypothesis. In: Glăveanu, V.P. (eds) The Palgrave Encyclopedia of the Possible. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-90913-0_193

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Dictionary definition of hypothesis

An educated guess or a proposed explanation for a phenomenon or a pattern of observations. "The experiment yielded results that supported the initial hypothesis ."

Detailed meaning of hypothesis

It is a statement that can be tested through scientific experimentation or further observation. In scientific research, a hypothesis is used as a starting point for an investigation, and it serves as a basis for designing experiments and collecting data to either support or disprove it. A hypothesis typically consists of two parts: the independent variable, which is the factor being tested, and the dependent variable, which is the effect that is being observed. The hypothesis states the expected relationship between the two variables. For example, if a scientist wants to test the effect of a new drug on blood pressure, the independent variable would be the drug and the dependent variable would be the blood pressure. The hypothesis in this case would be "The new drug will lower blood pressure" A hypothesis is a crucial step in the scientific method as it guides the research and helps to focus on a specific question or problem. The results of the research and experimentation can support or disprove the hypothesis , and it can lead to new discoveries and knowledge. In summary, a hypothesis is an educated guess or proposed explanation for a phenomenon or a pattern of observations, it's a statement that can be tested through scientific experimentation or further observation, it's a crucial step in the scientific method that guides the research and helps to focus on a specific question or problem.

Example sentences containing hypothesis

1. The scientist formulated a hypothesis to explain the observed phenomenon. 2. The hypothesis proposed by the researcher challenged the existing theories in the field. 3. The students conducted experiments to test their hypothesis about plant growth. 4. The hypothesis stated that increased exposure to sunlight would improve mood. 5. The team developed a hypothesis to investigate the effects of a new drug on cancer cells. 6. The hypothesis suggested that regular exercise would lead to improved cognitive function.

History and etymology of hypothesis

The noun ' hypothesis ' draws its linguistic lineage from the combination of two ancient Greek elements. The first part, 'hypo,' originates from the Greek word 'hupo,' meaning 'under' or 'beneath.' The second component, 'thesis,' derives from 'tithēmi,' meaning 'to place' or 'to put forth.' In the context of scientific inquiry and philosophical discourse, the term ' hypothesis ' embodies the notion of putting forth an educated guess or proposition that lies beneath the surface of empirical observation. It signifies a preliminary and testable explanation for a phenomenon or a pattern of observations. Thus, the etymology of ' hypothesis ' underscores its foundational role in the systematic process of scientific inquiry, where ideas are posited as a starting point for further investigation and analysis.

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Further usage examples of hypothesis

1. The scientist's hypothesis about the origins of the universe sparked a lively debate among colleagues. 2. The study aimed to confirm or refute the hypothesis that caffeine enhances athletic performance. 3. The researchers gathered data to support their hypothesis on the relationship between sleep and memory. 4. The hypothesis proposed that increased levels of pollution would lead to a decline in air quality. 5. The hypothesis suggested that exposure to violent media would lead to increased aggression in children. 6. The scientists revised their hypothesis based on the new evidence they gathered. 7. The study failed to confirm the hypothesis , leading the researchers to reconsider their approach. 8. The hypothesis provided a framework for the investigation, guiding the research process. 9. The scientist presented a compelling hypothesis that challenged conventional wisdom. 10. The hypothesis proposed that higher levels of stress would negatively affect decision-making abilities. 11. The researcher's hypothesis about the effects of music on productivity generated significant interest. 12. The study aimed to test the hypothesis that a specific diet would improve cardiovascular health. 13. The scientist formulated a hypothesis to test in the laboratory. 14. Her hypothesis about the market trends proved accurate. 15. We need evidence to support or refute this hypothesis . 16. The hypothesis was the starting point for the research project. 17. The hypothesis suggests a link between two variables. 18. He proposed an intriguing hypothesis for the mysterious phenomenon. 19. The hypothesis was based on years of careful observation. 20. The team's hypothesis challenged established scientific beliefs. 21. To validate the hypothesis , experiments were meticulously designed. 22. The hypothesis explained the unexpected results of the study. 23. Researchers are now testing the hypothesis with real-world data. 24. The success of the mission hinged on the accuracy of the initial hypothesis .

Quiz categories containing hypothesis

'hypothesis' is one of the flashcards in the 'TOEFL 5' category

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'hypothesis' is one of the flashcards in the 'Analytical and Interpretive' category

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TOEFL 5, Analytical and Interpretive, Inquiry and Insight, Insight and Intelligence

conjecture,postulate,premise,proposition,suggestion,supposition,thesis

theory, fact, certainty, knowledge

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hunch,proposal

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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

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Find out which words work together and produce more natural-sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.

hypothesis in etymology

Did you know … ?

It can take a long time and even the discovery of new technology to confirm that a hypothesis is accurate. Physicist Albert Einstein ’s 1916 theory of relativity contained hypotheses about space and time that have only been confirmed recently, thanks to modern technology!

What are real-life examples of hypothesis ?

While in science, hypothesis has a narrow meaning, in general use its meaning is broader.

"This study confirms the hypothesis that individuals who have been infected with COVID-19 have persistent objectively measurable cognitive deficits." (N=81,337) Ventilation subgroup show 7-point reduction in IQ https://t.co/50xrNNHC5E — Claire Lehmann (@clairlemon) July 23, 2021
Not everyone drives. They can walk, cycle, catch a train, tram etc. That’s alternatives. What’s your alternative in your hypothesis? — Barry (@Bazzaboy1982) July 27, 2021

What other words are related to hypothesis ?

  • scientific method
  • scientific theory

Quiz yourself!

True or False?

In science, a hypothesis must be based on current scientific information and be testable.

Hypothesis n., plural: hypotheses [/haɪˈpɑːθəsɪs/] Definition: Testable scientific prediction

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  • Education Resources Information Center - Understanding Hypotheses, Predictions, Laws, and Theories
  • Simply Psychology - Research Hypothesis: Definition, Types, & Examples
  • Cornell University - The Learning Strategies Center - Hypothesis
  • Washington State University - Developing a Hypothesis
  • Verywell Mind - Forming a Good Hypothesis for Scientific Research
  • BCCampus Publishing - Research Methods for the Social Sciences: An Introduction - Hypotheses

flow chart of scientific method

hypothesis , something supposed or taken for granted, with the object of following out its consequences (Greek hypothesis , “a putting under,” the Latin equivalent being suppositio ).

Discussion with Kara Rogers of how the scientific model is used to test a hypothesis or represent a theory

In planning a course of action, one may consider various alternatives , working out each in detail. Although the word hypothesis is not typically used in this case, the procedure is virtually the same as that of an investigator of crime considering various suspects. Different methods may be used for deciding what the various alternatives may be, but what is fundamental is the consideration of a supposal as if it were true, without actually accepting it as true. One of the earliest uses of the word in this sense was in geometry . It is described by Plato in the Meno .

The most important modern use of a hypothesis is in relation to scientific investigation . A scientist is not merely concerned to accumulate such facts as can be discovered by observation: linkages must be discovered to connect those facts. An initial puzzle or problem provides the impetus , but clues must be used to ascertain which facts will help yield a solution. The best guide is a tentative hypothesis, which fits within the existing body of doctrine. It is so framed that, with its help, deductions can be made that under certain factual conditions (“initial conditions”) certain other facts would be found if the hypothesis were correct.

The concepts involved in the hypothesis need not themselves refer to observable objects. However, the initial conditions should be able to be observed or to be produced experimentally, and the deduced facts should be able to be observed. William Harvey ’s research on circulation in animals demonstrates how greatly experimental observation can be helped by a fruitful hypothesis. While a hypothesis can be partially confirmed by showing that what is deduced from it with certain initial conditions is actually found under those conditions, it cannot be completely proved in this way. What would have to be shown is that no other hypothesis would serve. Hence, in assessing the soundness of a hypothesis, stress is laid on the range and variety of facts that can be brought under its scope. Again, it is important that it should be capable of being linked systematically with hypotheses which have been found fertile in other fields.

If the predictions derived from the hypothesis are not found to be true, the hypothesis may have to be given up or modified. The fault may lie, however, in some other principle forming part of the body of accepted doctrine which has been utilized in deducing consequences from the hypothesis. It may also lie in the fact that other conditions, hitherto unobserved, are present beside the initial conditions, affecting the result. Thus the hypothesis may be kept, pending further examination of facts or some remodeling of principles. A good illustration of this is to be found in the history of the corpuscular and the undulatory hypotheses about light .

Cambridge Dictionary

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Meaning of hypothesis in English

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  • abstraction
  • accepted wisdom
  • afterthought
  • anthropocentrism
  • determinist
  • non-dogmatic
  • non-empirical
  • social Darwinism
  • supersensible
  • the domino theory

hypothesis | American Dictionary

Hypothesis | business english, examples of hypothesis, translations of hypothesis.

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Online Language Dictionaries

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USA pronunciation: IPA/haɪˈpɑθəsɪs, hɪ-/

US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(hī poth ə sis, hi-)

| | | | | | |
of ' ' (n): npl: hypotheses
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024
hy•poth•e•sis      n. [ ], pl.       a theory or idea that is put forth to explain something, and that is either accepted as a guide for future investigation or is assumed for the sake of argument and testing.See .
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024
hy•poth•e•sis   ə sis, hi-),USA pronunciation n., pl.      ) or accepted as highly probable in the light of established facts. basis, supposition. See hypo-, thesis e•sist, n. 
See   
/haɪˈpɒθɪsɪs/ n ( pl -ses /

-ˌsiːz/) ) or accepted as likely to be true Etymology: 16th Century: from Greek, from to propose, suppose, literally: put under; see hypo-, thesis

n ' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations): - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , , , , ,

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Other forms: hypotheses

In science, a hypothesis is an idea or explanation that you then test through study and experimentation. Outside science, a theory or guess can also be called a hypothesis .

A hypothesis is something more than a wild guess but less than a well-established theory. In science, a hypothesis needs to go through a lot of testing before it gets labeled a theory. In the non-scientific world, the word is used a lot more loosely. A detective might have a hypothesis about a crime, and a mother might have a hypothesis about who spilled juice on the rug. Anyone who uses the word hypothesis is making a guess.

  • noun 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 scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory” synonyms: possibility , theory see more see less types: show 17 types... hide 17 types... hypothetical a hypothetical possibility, circumstance, statement, proposal, situation, etc. gemmule the physically discrete element that Darwin proposed as responsible for heredity framework , model , theoretical account a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process conjecture , speculation a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence) assumption , supposal , supposition a hypothesis that is taken for granted historicism a theory that social and cultural events are determined by history computer simulation , simulation (computer science) the technique of representing the real world by a computer program conclusion an intuitive assumption base , basis , cornerstone , foundation , fundament , groundwork the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained mean sun a theoretical sun that moves along the celestial equator at a constant speed and completes its annual course in the same amount of time the real sun takes at variable speeds Copernican system (astronomy) Copernicus' astronomical model in which the Earth rotates around the sun Ptolemaic system (astronomy) Ptolemy's model of the universe with the Earth at the center M-theory (particle physics) a theory that involves an eleven-dimensional universe in which the weak and strong forces and gravity are unified and to which all the string theories belong string theory (particle physics) a theory that postulates that subatomic particles are one-dimensional strings given , precondition , presumption an assumption that is taken for granted basic assumption , constatation , self-evident truth an assumption that is basic to an argument stochastic process a statistical process involving a number of random variables depending on a variable parameter (which is usually time) type of: concept , conception , construct an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances
  • noun a proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations see more see less type of: proposal something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
  • noun a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence synonyms: conjecture , guess , speculation , supposition , surmisal , surmise see more see less types: divination successful conjecture by unusual insight or good luck type of: opinion , view a message expressing a belief about something; the expression of a belief that is held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof

Vocabulary lists containing hypothesis

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hypothesist noun

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What does the noun hypothesist mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun hypothesist . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, 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 hypothesist ?

Where does the noun hypothesist come from?

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the noun hypothesist is in the late 1700s.

OED's only evidence for hypothesist is from 1788, in the writing of Thomas Jefferson, revolutionary politician and president of the United States of America.

hypothesist is formed within English, by derivation.

Etymons: hypothesis n. , ‑t suffix 3

Nearby entries

  • 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–
  • hypothetize, v. 1895–

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Meaning & use

Entry history for hypothesist, n..

Originally published as part of the entry for hypothesis, n.

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

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.

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

Factsheet for hypothesist, n., browse entry.

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Patterns of genomic variation reveal a single evolutionary origin of the wild allotetraploid Mimulus sookensis

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Makenzie R Whitener, Hayley Mangelson, Andrea L Sweigart, Patterns of genomic variation reveal a single evolutionary origin of the wild allotetraploid Mimulus sookensis , Evolution , Volume 78, Issue 8, 1 August 2024, Pages 1464–1477, https://doi.org/10.1093/evolut/qpae079

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Polyploidy occurs across the tree of life and is especially common in plants. Because newly formed cytotypes are often incompatible with their progenitors, polyploidy is also said to trigger “instantaneous” speciation. If a polyploid can self-fertilize or reproduce asexually, it is even possible for one individual to produce an entirely new lineage, but how often this scenario occurs is unclear. Here, we investigate the evolutionary history of the wild allotetraploid Mimulus sookensis , which was formed through hybridization between self-compatible, diploid species in the Mimulus guttatus complex. We generate a chromosome-scale reference assembly for M. sookensis and define its distinct subgenomes. Despite previous reports suggesting multiple origins of this highly selfing polyploid, we discover patterns of population genomic variation that provide unambiguous support for a single origin. One M. sookensis subgenome is clearly derived from the selfer Mimulus nasutus , which organellar variation suggests is the maternal progenitor. The ancestor of the other subgenome is less certain, but it shares variation with both Mimulus decorus and M. guttatus , two outcrossing diploids with geographic ranges that overlap broadly with M. sookensis . This study establishes M. sookensis as an example of instantaneous speciation, likely facilitated by the polyploid’s predisposition to self-fertilize.

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Etymology

hypothecate (v.)

1680s, "pledge (something) without giving up control of it; pawn; mortgage," from hypothecat- , past-participle stem of Medieval Latin hypothecare , from Late Latin hypotheca "a pledge," from Greek hypothēkē "a deposit, pledge, mortgage," from hypo- "beneath, under" (see hypo- ) + tithenai "to put, to place," from reduplicated form of PIE root *dhe- "to set, put." Related: Hypothecated ; hypothecating ; hypothecation ; hypothecary .

Entries linking to hypothecate

*dhē- , Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to set, put."

It forms all or part of: abdomen ; abscond ; affair ; affect (v.1) "make a mental impression on;" affect (v.2) "make a pretense of;" affection ; amplify ; anathema ; antithesis ; apothecary ; artifact ; artifice ; beatific ; benefice ; beneficence ; beneficial ; benefit ; bibliothec ; bodega ; boutique ; certify ; chafe ; chauffeur ; comfit ; condiment ; confection ; confetti ; counterfeit ; deed ; deem ; deface ; defeasance ; defeat ; defect ; deficient ; difficulty ; dignify ; discomfit ; do (v.); doom ; -dom ; duma ; edifice ; edify ; efface ; effect ; efficacious ; efficient ; epithet ; facade ; face ; facet ; facial ; -facient ; facile ; facilitate ; facsimile ; fact ; faction (n.1) "political party;" -faction ; factitious ; factitive ; factor ; factory ; factotum ; faculty ; fashion ; feasible ; feat ; feature ; feckless ; fetish ; -fic ; fordo ; forfeit ; -fy ; gratify ; hacienda ; hypothecate ; hypothesis ; incondite ; indeed ; infect ; justify ; malefactor ; malfeasance ; manufacture ; metathesis ; misfeasance ; modify ; mollify ; multifarious ; notify ; nullify ; office ; officinal ; omnifarious ; orifice ; parenthesis ; perfect ; petrify ; pluperfect ; pontifex ; prefect ; prima facie ; proficient ; profit ; prosthesis ; prothesis ; purdah ; putrefy ; qualify ; rarefy ; recondite ; rectify ; refectory ; sacrifice ; salmagundi ; samadhi ; satisfy ; sconce ; suffice ; sufficient ; surface ; surfeit ; synthesis ; tay ; ticking (n.); theco- ; thematic ; theme ; thesis ; verify .

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit dadhati "puts, places;" Avestan dadaiti "he puts;" Old Persian ada "he made;" Hittite dai- "to place;" Greek tithenai "to put, set, place;" Latin facere "to make, do; perform; bring about;" Lithuanian dėti "to put;" Polish dziać się "to be happening;" Russian delat' "to do;" Old High German tuon , German tun , Old English don "to do."

word-forming element meaning "under, beneath; less, less than" (in chemistry, indicating a lesser oxidation), from Greek hypo (prep. and adverb) "under, beneath; up from under; toward and under (i.e. into)," from PIE root *upo "under."

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Dictionary entries near hypothecate

hypothalamus

hypothecate

hypothermia

hypothesise

hypothesize

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  1. 13 Different Types of Hypothesis (2024)

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  2. Research Hypothesis: Definition, Types, Examples and Quick Tips

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  3. What is an Hypothesis

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  5. Hypothesis Meaning

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  6. Difference Between Thesis and Hypothesis

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VIDEO

  1. Concept of Hypothesis

  2. What Is A Hypothesis?

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  4. Lesson 33 : Hypothesis Testing Procedure for One Population Mean

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COMMENTS

  1. hypothesis

    hypothesis. (n.) 1590s, "a particular statement;" 1650s, "a proposition, assumed and taken for granted, used as a premise," from French hypothese and directly from Late Latin hypothesis, from Greek hypothesis "base, groundwork, foundation," hence in extended use "basis of an argument, supposition," literally "a placing under," from hypo- "under ...

  2. hypotheses

    Entries linking to hypotheses. hypothesis (n.) 1590s, "a particular statement;" 1650s, "a proposition, assumed and taken for granted, used as a premise," from French hypothese and directly from Late Latin hypothesis, from Greek hypothesis "base, groundwork, foundation," hence in extended use "basis of an argument, supposition," literally "a ...

  3. hypothesis

    hypothesis (plural hypotheses) ( sciences) Used loosely, a tentative conjecture explaining an observation, phenomenon or scientific problem that can be tested by further observation, investigation and/or experimentation. As a scientific term of art, see the attached quotation. Compare to theory, and quotation given there.

  4. Hypothesis

    In its ancient usage, hypothesis referred to a summary of the plot of a classical drama.The English word hypothesis comes from the ancient Greek word ὑπόθεσις hypothesis whose literal or etymological sense is "putting or placing under" and hence in extended use has many other meanings including "supposition". [1] [3] [4] [5]In Plato's Meno (86e-87b), Socrates dissects virtue with a ...

  5. Hypothesis Definition & Meaning

    The meaning of HYPOTHESIS is an assumption or concession made for the sake of argument. How to use hypothesis in a sentence. The Difference Between Hypothesis and Theory Synonym Discussion of Hypothesis. ... regarding the origin of living things." As Kenneth R. Miller, a cell biologist at Brown University, has said, a theory "doesn't mean a ...

  6. hypothesis, n. meanings, etymology and more

    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.

  7. hypothesis etymology online, origin and meaning

    hypothesis; hypothesis etymology. Etymology: Derived from Ancient Greek "hypothesis" (ὑπόθεσις), meaning "a placing under" or "a foundation" Meaning and Origin: Ancient Greek: * In ancient Greek, "hypothesis" initially referred to a foundation or premise upon which an argument was built. * It was used in mathematics to denote a ...

  8. Hypothesis

    Definition. The word "hypothesis" is of ancient Greek origin and composed of two parts: "hypo" for "under," and "thesis" for "to put there"; in Latin, this translated "to suppose" or "supposition"; made up of "sub" [under] and "positum" [put there]. It refers to something that we put there, maybe to start ...

  9. Hypothesis

    History and etymology of hypothesis. The noun 'hypothesis' draws its linguistic lineage from the combination of two ancient Greek elements. The first part, 'hypo,' originates from the Greek word 'hupo,' meaning 'under' or 'beneath.'. The second component, 'thesis,' derives from 'tithēmi,' meaning 'to place' or 'to put forth.'.

  10. 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. ... Word Origin late 16th cent.: via late Latin from Greek hupothesis 'foundation', from hupo 'under' + thesis 'placing'.

  11. HYPOTHESIS Definition & Meaning

    Hypothesis definition: a proposition, or set of propositions, set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena, either asserted merely as a provisional conjecture to guide investigation (working hypothesis ) or accepted as highly probable in the light of established facts.. See examples of HYPOTHESIS used in a sentence.

  12. Hypothesis

    Hypothesis is an idea or prediction that scientists make before they do experiments. Click to learn about its types, and importance of hypotheses in research and science. ... Etymology: The word "hypothesis" comes from the Greek word "hupothesis," which means "a basis" or "a supposition." It combines "hupo" (under) and ...

  13. Hypothesis Definition & Meaning

    Hypothesis definition: An unproved theory, proposition, supposition, etc. tentatively accepted to explain certain facts or (working hypothesis) to provide a basis for further investigation, argument, etc. ... Origin of Hypothesis Recorded since 1596, from Middle French hypothese, ...

  14. Hypothesis

    hypothesis, something supposed or taken for granted, with the object of following out its consequences (Greek hypothesis, "a putting under," the Latin equivalent being suppositio ). Discussion with Kara Rogers of how the scientific model is used to test a hypothesis or represent a theory. Kara Rogers, senior biomedical sciences editor of ...

  15. HYPOTHESIS definition in American English

    a suggested explanation for a group of facts or phenomena, either accepted as a basis for further verification ( working hypothesis) or accepted as likely to be true. Compare theory (sense 5) 2. an assumption used in an argument without its being endorsed; a supposition. 3. an unproved theory; a conjecture. Collins English Dictionary.

  16. HYPOTHESIS

    HYPOTHESIS definition: 1. an idea or explanation for something that is based on known facts but has not yet been proved…. Learn more.

  17. hypothesis

    hypothesis - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free. WordReference.com | ... origin-of-life hypothesis <are in> Overall Hypothesis of Architecture of System more... Visit the English Only Forum. Help WordReference: Ask in the forums yourself.

  18. Hypothesis

    hypothesis: 1 n 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 scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory" Synonyms: possibility , theory Types: show 17 types... hide 17 types... hypothetical a hypothetical ...

  19. hypothesis

    From Longman Business Dictionary hypothesis hy‧poth‧e‧sis / haɪˈpɒθəsəs-ˈpɑː-/ noun (plural hypotheses /-siːz /) [countable] STATISTICS an idea that can be tested to see if it is true or not These results support the hypothesis that individuals are willing to pay more in order to live in communities that provide high-quality ...

  20. hypothetical

    1590s, "a particular statement;" 1650s, "a proposition, assumed and taken for granted, used as a premise," from French hypothese and directly from Late Latin hypothesis, from Greek hypothesis "base, groundwork, foundation," hence in extended use "basis of an argument, supposition," literally "a placing under," from hypo-"under" (see hypo-) + thesis "a placing, proposition" (from reduplicated ...

  21. A Brief History of the Hypothesis

    Scientists are commonly taught to frame their experiments with a "hypothesis"—an idea or postulate that must be phrased as a statement of fact, so that it can be subjected to falsification. The hypothesis is constructed in advance of the experiment; it is therefore unproven in its original form. The very idea of "proof" of a ...

  22. hypothesist, n. meanings, etymology and more

    late 1700s. The earliest known use of the noun hypothesist is in the late 1700s. OED's only evidence for hypothesist is from 1788, in the writing of Thomas Jefferson, revolutionary politician and president of the United States of America. hypothesist is formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: hypothesis n., ‑t suffix3.

  23. Patterns of genomic variation reveal a single evolutionary origin of

    Given the recent origin of M. sookensis (i.e., <200 KYA following the divergence of M. nasutus from M. guttatus: Brandvain et al., 2014) and its fairly wide geographic range (with samples collected from one population in northern California and from several populations in Oregon and on Vancouver Island, British Columbia), the hypothesis of ...

  24. hypothecate

    c. 1300, supposen, "hold as a belief or opinion; make a hypothesis, assume as the basis of argument" without regard to truth or falsehood, from Old French suposer "to assume" (13c.), probably a replacement (influenced by Old French poser "put, place") of *suppondre, from Latin su