Added 9 October 2026
hypothesis
/haɪˈpɒθɪsɪs/ noun
In Latin: hypothesis Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about hypothesis at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations.
-
A tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena.
a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory
- A message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence.
Origin
Recorded since 1596, from Middle French hypothese, from Late Latin hypothesis, from Ancient Greek ὑπόθεσις (hupóthesis, “base, basis of an argument, supposition”, literally “a placing under”), itself from ὑποτίθημι (hupotíthēmi, “to set before, suggest”), from ὑπό (hupó, “below”) + τίθημι (títhēmi, “to put, place”). Compare hypothec.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)