hypothesis

/-əsəs/ /haɪˈpɑː.θə.sɪs/

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 hypothesis is that the children's improved test scores are due to the new study techniques they learned in class. "

noun

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

Examples :

"My hypothesis is that if I study more, I will get a better grade on the test. "

theory science philosophy logic education essential ielts

noun

(grammar) The antecedent of a conditional statement.

Examples :

"My hypothesis for why I failed the test is that I didn't study enough. "

grammar language linguistics essential ielts

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."

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. "

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."

tentative noun

/ˈtɛntətɪv/

A trial; an experiment; an attempt.

"The teacher's tentative about implementing the new math curriculum next year is a trial run. "

techniques noun

/tɛkˈniːks/ /tɛkˈniːksɪz/

The practical aspects of a given art, occupation etc.; formal requirements.

""The chef shared his cooking techniques with the new apprentices during the training session." "

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. "

antecedent noun

/ˌantɪˈsiːdənt/

Any thing that precedes another thing, especially the cause of the second thing.

"The heavy rain was the antecedent to the flooding in the streets. "

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. "