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Hypothesis

hy-POTH-uh-sis /haɪˈpɒθəsɪs/

nounC1GRESATIELTSTOEFL

formalacademic

A supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

A hypothesis is a testable statement, often an educated guess, that can be supported or refuted through experimentation or observation. It's a crucial step in the scientific method.

The story behind the word. The word 'hypothesis' comes from the Greek 'hypothesis,' meaning 'a putting under,' 'a supposition.' It's formed from 'hypo-' (under) and 'tithenai' (to place). This imagery of 'putting under' suggests a foundation or basis upon which an argument or investigation can be built, even if that foundation is still tentative and needs to be tested. It's the initial idea placed 'underneath' the investigation.

Word relationships

conjecture: Conjecture is an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information; a hypothesis is often more structured and testable.
postulate: A postulate is an assumption or premise taken as true without proof, often as a basis for reasoning; a hypothesis is proposed for testing.

Commonly confused with

Theory: A hypothesis is a testable proposed explanation, while a theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment.
Theorem: A hypothesis is an unproven idea to be tested, whereas a theorem is a statement that has been rigorously proven true in mathematics.

Word family

hypothesize (verb): To put forward a hypothesis.
hypothetical (adjective): Based on a hypothesis; supposed rather than actual.

Collocations

formulate a hypothesis
test a hypothesis
null hypothesis
alternative hypothesis
scientific hypothesis

Example sentences

"The scientist formulated a hypothesis that increased sunlight exposure would lead to higher plant growth." Explaining its role in science.
"The experiment was designed to test the hypothesis rigorously and collect data to either support or refute it." Discussing its testing.
"It's an interesting hypothesis, but we need more evidence before we can consider it a theory." Referring to an unproven idea.

Memory hook

A 'HYPO-thesis' is a 'HYPOthetical' idea you put 'UNDER' investigation. Under-idea

When not to use

Do not use 'hypothesis' to refer to a proven fact or a widely accepted scientific theory. A hypothesis is always provisional.

Fun facts

In the scientific method, a hypothesis must be falsifiable, meaning it must be possible to prove it wrong.
The plural of hypothesis is hypotheses.