hypotheses

/haɪˈpɒθəˌsiːz/ /haɪˈpɑːθəˌsiːz/

Meanings

noun

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.

Examples :

"My sister offered several hypotheses about why the dog ate her homework. "

noun

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

Examples :

"To understand why the children were arguing, the teacher considered several hypotheses about their disagreement. "

theory philosophy science logic education

noun

(grammar) The antecedent of a conditional statement.

Examples :

"In logic class, we learned that in "If it rains, then the ground is wet," the student would consider the first part, "if it rains," as the hypotheses. "

grammar linguistics language

Related Words

assumption noun

/əˈsʌmp.ʃən/

The act of assuming, or taking to or upon oneself; the act of taking up or adopting.

"His assumption of secretarial duties was timely."

investigation noun

/ɪnˌvɛstəˈɡeɪʃən/

The act of investigating; the process of inquiring into or following up; research, especially patient or thorough inquiry or examination

"Despite thorough investigation, the perpetrator of the attacks remains unknown."

conjecture noun

/kənˈd͡ʒɛk.t͡ʃə(ɹ)/ /kənˈd͡ʒɛk.t͡ʃɚ/

A statement or an idea which is unproven, but is thought to be true; a guess.

"I explained it, but it is pure conjecture whether he understood, or not."

understand verb

/ˌɞndəɹˈstand/ /(ˌ)ʌndəˈstænd/ /ˌʌndɚˈstænd/

To grasp a concept fully and thoroughly, especially (of words, statements, art, etc.) to be aware of the meaning of and (of people) to be aware of the intent of.

"My teacher explained the new math concept, and I understood it perfectly. "

phenomenon noun

/fɪˈnɒmənɒn/ /fɪˈnɑmənɑn/

A thing or being, event or process, perceptible through senses; or a fact or occurrence thereof.

"The sudden increase in student absences is a noticeable phenomenon. "

considered verb

/kənˈsɪdəd/ /kənˈsɪdɚd/

To think about seriously.

"Consider that we’ve had three major events and the year has hardly begun."

explaining verb

/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/ /ɛkˈspleɪnɪŋ/

To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.

"To explain a chapter of the Bible."

observation noun

/ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃ(ə)n/ /-ˈveɪʃn̩/

The act of observing, and the fact of being observed (see observance)

"The teacher's observation of the student's progress showed that he was struggling with math. "

scientific adjective

/ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/

Of, or having to do with science.

"The scientific method is important in my school science class. "

conditional noun

/kənˈdɪʃənəl/

(grammar) A conditional sentence; a statement that depends on a condition being true or false.

"My attendance at the school picnic is conditional on my finishing my homework. "

experimentation noun

/ɪkˌspɛrɪmɛnˈteɪʃən/ /ɛkˌspɛrɪmɛnˈteɪʃən/

The act of experimenting; practice by experiment.

"The experimentation with different study methods helped the student improve their grades. "

disagreement noun

/dɪsəˈɡɹiːmənt/

An argument or debate.

"They had a bit of a disagreement about what color to paint the bedroom, but they have reached a compromise."