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| the·o·ry [ th əree, three ] (plural the·o·ries) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. rules and techniques: the body of rules, ideas, principles, and techniques that applies to a subject, especially when seen as distinct from actual practice
  economic theories
Many coaches have a good grasp of the theory of football but can't motivate players.
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2. speculation: abstract thought or contemplation
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3. idea formed by speculation: an idea of or belief about something arrived at through speculation or conjecture
She believed in the theory that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
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4. hypothetical circumstances: a set of circumstances or principles that is hypothetical
That's the theory, but it may not work out in practice.
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5. scientific principle to explain phenomena: a set of facts, propositions, or principles analyzed in their relation to one another and used, especially in science, to explain phenomena
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| [Late 16th century. Via late Latin< Greek theōria "contemplation, theory" < theōros "spectator"] |
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in theory under hypothetical or ideal circumstances but perhaps not in reality
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