Phrase guide

in theory

prep_phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Theoretically.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • That sounds fine in theory, but will it work in practice?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

with regard to fundamentals although not concerning details

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • in principle, we agree

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: in principle, in essence

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: teorie — Translations
  • Galician: en teoría — Translations
  • Polish: w teorii — Translations
  • Spanish: en teoría — Translations