Added 9 October 2026 empirical /ɪmˈpɪɹɪkəl/ adjective Categories: Describing WordsEveryday Words adjective ! Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about empirical at Wordnik → Where our words come from → Derived from experiment and observation rather than theory. an empirical basis for an ethical theory Relying on medical quackery. empiric treatment Related Words: experientialexistentialobservationalverifiableconfirmablesemiempiricalexperimentaltrialtestmodelpilot Back to today's word