adjective / noun
hypothetical
hy-puh-THET-ih-kul/ˌhaɪpəˈθetɪkl/
An imagined possibility considered rather than an established fact.
The planner compares hypothetical designs for the still empty lot.
Etymology
Greek hypothetikos described something based on a hypothesis—a supposition used as a premise. The adjective thus marks reasoning from an assumed possibility rather than an established fact.
In context
scenario based interview questions, or situational type interview questions, assess how you would react to hypothetical situations in the future.
More examples
- Consider a hypothetical change in demand.
- They debated several hypotheticals.
- Her example was hypothetical rather than a report.
Forms
hypothetical · hypotheticals
hypothetically adverb — as an imagined possibility
Similar words
- imaginary
- Need not be proposed for reasoning or discussion.
- theoretical
- May follow an established theory rather than a made-up scenario.