C2nounformalacademicscience
US/haɪˈpɑː.θə.sɪs/
UK/haɪˈpɒθ.ə.sɪs/
an idea suggested to explain something, which has not yet been proved
In context
The researchers tested the hypothesis that music improves concentration during study.
The data did not support the original hypothesis, so the team changed its approach.
A good hypothesis must be specific enough to be proved wrong.
Words that go with hypothesis
verb + noun
- test a hypothesisStudents designed an experiment to test a hypothesis about plant growth.
- support the hypothesisThe new results support the hypothesis that sleep aids memory.
- reject the hypothesisWith so little evidence, we must reject the hypothesis.
- confirm the hypothesisLater studies failed to confirm the hypothesis.
adjective + noun
- working hypothesisOur working hypothesis is that the fall in scores began in 2020.
- null hypothesisThe null hypothesis states that the two groups do not differ.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
The scientists tested several hypothesises.Correct: The scientists tested several hypotheses.