C1adjectiveformalacademicphilosophy
US/ˌhaɪ.pəˈθet.ɪ.kəl/
UK/ˌhaɪ.pəˈθet.ɪ.kəl/
imagined as a possible situation rather than real
In context
Let me ask you a hypothetical question: what if you won the lottery?
The interviewer used hypothetical situations to test our problem-solving skills.
For now the danger is purely hypothetical, but we should prepare.
Words that go with hypothetical
adjective + noun
- hypothetical questionPoliticians often refuse to answer a hypothetical question.
- hypothetical situationImagine a hypothetical situation in which cars are banned.
- hypothetical exampleLet's use a hypothetical example to explain the tax rule.
- hypothetical scenarioThe study tested a hypothetical scenario of rising sea levels.
adverb + adjective
- purely hypotheticalThe example is purely hypothetical and not based on real people.