hypothesis verb definition

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hypothesize

Definition of hypothesize

intransitive verb

transitive verb

• hypothecate

Examples of hypothesize in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypothesize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1738, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Dictionary Entries Near hypothesize

hypothetical

Cite this Entry

“Hypothesize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothesize. Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of hypothesize, more from merriam-webster on hypothesize.

Britannica English: Translation of hypothesize for Arabic Speakers

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Definition of hypothesize verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

hypothesize

• The causes can be hypothesized but not proved.
• We can only hypothesize that the cases we know about are typical.
• Let us try to hypothesize a particular market situation.
• There are particular problems that arise when hypothesizing about the origins of the universe.

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Nearby words

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Meaning of hypothesis in English

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• abstraction
• accepted wisdom
• afterthought
• anthropocentrism
• determinist
• exceptionalism
• non-dogmatic
• non-empirical
• non-material
• non-practical
• supersensible
• the domino theory
• thought balloon

hypothesis | Intermediate English

Hypothesis | business english, examples of hypothesis, translations of hypothesis.

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Word of the Day

a person who knows a lot about a particular subject and is therefore often asked to give an opinion about it

Cooking or hitting the books? (Idioms with ‘book’)

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Definition of 'hypothesize'

• hypothesize

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hypothesize in British English

Hypothesize in american english, examples of 'hypothesize' in a sentence hypothesize, trends of hypothesize.

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hypothesize

[ hahy- poth - uh -sahyz , hi- ]

verb (used with object)

Given these data, we can hypothesize that the rise in truck accidents is directly related to the stressful work environment and unsafe driving practices of drivers.

He said little, but based on his body language and tone, I hypothesized that he had feelings for her.

verb (used without object)

She has written several well-researched papers hypothesizing about the origins of language.

I like to hypothesize about life in the next century.

/ haɪˈpɒθɪˌsaɪz /

• to form or assume as a hypothesis

/ hī-pŏth ′ ĭ-sīz′ /

• To form a hypothesis.

Derived Forms

• hyˈpotheˌsizer , noun

Other Words From

• hy·poth·e·siz·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypothesize 1

Example Sentences

Across a range of ecosystems and animals, he says, the researchers were seeing wildlife corridors divided by hotspots for human-animal conflict, which they hypothesized would create barriers to movement, functionally cutting off the corridor.

The hypothesized nonmaterial vital essence, especially in human beings, has sometimes been called “spirit.”

Competition between humans and wolves for prey would have declined as generations of pet wolves gradually evolved into dogs, the team hypothesizes.

In any case, it seems we need more evidence, from experiments in both humans and non-human model organisms, to see if the ideas that Quiroga hypothesizes are true.

Based on some previous findings, they hypothesized that the subjects would prefer the heavier load with fewer reps.

Experts hypothesize the painting represents the “conquest dance,” a Christian conversion ritual still performed to this day.

Historians hypothesize that the fruit in the Garden of Eden was a pomegranate, not an apple.

One might hypothesize the maid was part of a scam to shake down any rich old man in a luxury suite.

One can hypothesize that the bad decision came after the consumption of stupefying substances.

Can it, as researchers hypothesize, cure our jet lag and help us get pregnant?

We can, I repeat, thus hypothesize so long as we see no impossibility.

Consequently, we hypothesize the independent development of these dermal changes in S. baudini and phaeota.

Still, we can hypothesize, even if we cannot prove and establish.

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hypothesize verb

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What does the verb hypothesize mean?

There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb hypothesize . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

How common is the verb hypothesize ?

How is the verb hypothesize pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the verb hypothesize come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the verb hypothesize is in the mid 1700s.

OED's earliest evidence for hypothesize is from 1738, in the writing of William Warburton, bishop of Gloucester and religious controversialist.

hypothesize is formed within English, by derivation.

Etymons: hypothesis n. , ‑ize suffix .

Nearby entries

• hypothecate, v. 1693–
• hypothecation, n. 1681–
• hypothecative, adj. 1856–
• hypothecator, n. 1828–
• hypothecium, n. 1866–
• hypothenar, adj. 1706–
• hypothermia, n. 1886–
• hypothermic, adj. 1898–
• hypothesis, n. 1596–
• hypothesist, n. 1788–
• hypothesize, v. 1738–
• hypothesizer, n. 1833–
• hypothetic, adj. & n. a1680–
• hypothetical, adj. & n. 1588–
• hypothetically, adv. 1628–
• hypothetico-deductive, adj. 1912–
• hypothetico-deductively, adv. 1953–
• hypothetico-disjunctive, adj. & n. a1856–
• hypothetist, n. 1852–
• hypothetize, v. 1895–
• hypothetizer, n. 1891–

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Meaning & use

Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for hypothesize, v..

hypothesize, v. was first published in 1899; not yet revised.

hypothesize, v. was last modified in July 2023.

Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:

• corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into hypothesize, v. in July 2023.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1899)

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OED Second Edition (1989)

• View hypothesize, v. in OED Second Edition

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Citation details

Factsheet for hypothesize, v., browse entry.