Theory
noun
A set of ideas or principles used to explain something.
Einstein's theory of relativity changed how we understand the universe.
Often appears as...
- scientific theory
- theory of relativity
noun
An idea used to account for a situation or justify a course of action.
My theory is that he left because he was not given a promotion.
Often appears as...
- my theory is
- in theory
noun
In music, the study of how music works.
She has a degree in music theory.
Often appears as...
- music theory
- theory exam
Usage tips
Academic
noun
In law, a rule or principle that is abstract rather than concrete.
In theory, the law applies equally to everyone.
Often appears as...
- legal theory
- theory of justice
Usage tips
Academic
noun
A set of ideas or principles used to explain something.
Einstein's theory of relativity changed how we understand the universe.
Often appears as...
- scientific theory
- theory of relativity
noun
An idea used to account for a situation or justify a course of action.
My theory is that he left because he was not given a promotion.
Often appears as...
- my theory is
- in theory
noun
In music, the study of how music works.
She has a degree in music theory.
Often appears as...
- music theory
- theory exam
Usage tips
Academic
noun
In law, a rule or principle that is abstract rather than concrete.
In theory, the law applies equally to everyone.
Often appears as...
- legal theory
- theory of justice
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Not Always Proven
Theories in science are well-substantiated explanations, but not always proven facts.
Darwin's theory of evolution remains a robust scientific framework.
Pro Tip 2/2Broad Explanations
Theories aim to explain broad patterns or phenomena, not isolated events.
The germ theory of disease explains how diseases are transmitted.
Pro Tip 1/2Not Always Proven
Theories in science are well-substantiated explanations, but not always proven facts.
Darwin's theory of evolution remains a robust scientific framework.
Pro Tip 2/2Broad Explanations
Theories aim to explain broad patterns or phenomena, not isolated events.
The germ theory of disease explains how diseases are transmitted.
Pro Tip 1/2Not Always Proven
Theories in science are well-substantiated explanations, but not always proven facts.
Darwin's theory of evolution remains a robust scientific framework.
Pro Tip 2/2Broad Explanations
Theories aim to explain broad patterns or phenomena, not isolated events.
The germ theory of disease explains how diseases are transmitted.
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Video examples
Questions No One Knows...
However, recent theories in physics, including one called string theory, are now telling us there could be countless other universes built on different types of particles, with different properties, obeying different laws. Most of these universes could never support life, and might flash in and out of existence in a nanosecond.
Video examples
Expanding our definition...
was be the change you want to see in the world and my case for all of this is that we need a theory of change and what policy makers often seem to believe is that they can only affect change in schools by grabbing the reins and taking command of everything and controlling it and that's what we're seeing around the
Video examples
Plato’s Allegory of the...
Importantly, the allegory is connected to the theory of forms, developed in Plato's other dialogues, which holds that like the shadows on the wall, things in the physical world are flawed reflections of ideal forms, such as roundness, or beauty. In this way, the cave leads to many fundamental questions,
Video examples
Why is it so hard to...
Additionally, mounting evidence suggests we'll need to figure out how to eradicate cancer stem cells. These are rare but seem to have special properties that make them resistant to chemotherapy and radiation. In theory, even if the rest of the tumor shrinks beyond detection during treatment,
Video examples
Why Moths are Obsessed...
North Star in theory moths similarly follow the light source at a precise position and a precise angle to their bodies this is how moths would navigate for millions of years by the light of the moon what moth evolution couldn't account for was the proliferation of constant
Video examples
Why do we dream? - Amy...
And in the years since, we haven't paused in our quest to understand why we dream. So, after a great deal of scientific research, technological advancement, and persistence, we still don't have any definite answers, but we have some interesting theories.
Video examples
Why do we love? A...
Is it all we need? Do we need it at all? If romantic love has a purpose, neither science nor psychology has discovered it yet. But over the course of history, some of our most respected philosophers have put forward some intriguing theories.
Video examples
Rethinking infidelity...
Now, throughout history, men practically had a license to cheat with little consequence, and supported by a host of biological and evolutionary theories that justified their need to roam, so the double standard is as old as adultery itself.
Video examples
How to Speak Chimpanzee...
But while chimps across the world only have a limited repertoire of vocalizations, they constantly invent and share new gestures with each other. One theory basically is that they imitate gestures from each other.
Video examples
What’s the difference...
He developed three brilliant laws of planetary motion while he was studying decades of precise astronomical data in an effort to find support for his theory. While his three laws are still in use today,
Video examples
Questions No One Knows...
However, recent theories in physics, including one called string theory, are now telling us there could be countless other universes built on different types of particles, with different properties, obeying different laws. Most of these universes could never support life, and might flash in and out of existence in a nanosecond.
Video examples
Expanding our definition...
was be the change you want to see in the world and my case for all of this is that we need a theory of change and what policy makers often seem to believe is that they can only affect change in schools by grabbing the reins and taking command of everything and controlling it and that's what we're seeing around the
Video examples
Plato’s Allegory of the...
Importantly, the allegory is connected to the theory of forms, developed in Plato's other dialogues, which holds that like the shadows on the wall, things in the physical world are flawed reflections of ideal forms, such as roundness, or beauty. In this way, the cave leads to many fundamental questions,
Video examples
Why is it so hard to...
Additionally, mounting evidence suggests we'll need to figure out how to eradicate cancer stem cells. These are rare but seem to have special properties that make them resistant to chemotherapy and radiation. In theory, even if the rest of the tumor shrinks beyond detection during treatment,
Video examples
Why Moths are Obsessed...
North Star in theory moths similarly follow the light source at a precise position and a precise angle to their bodies this is how moths would navigate for millions of years by the light of the moon what moth evolution couldn't account for was the proliferation of constant
Video examples
Why do we dream? - Amy...
And in the years since, we haven't paused in our quest to understand why we dream. So, after a great deal of scientific research, technological advancement, and persistence, we still don't have any definite answers, but we have some interesting theories.
Video examples
Why do we love? A...
Is it all we need? Do we need it at all? If romantic love has a purpose, neither science nor psychology has discovered it yet. But over the course of history, some of our most respected philosophers have put forward some intriguing theories.
Video examples
Rethinking infidelity...
Now, throughout history, men practically had a license to cheat with little consequence, and supported by a host of biological and evolutionary theories that justified their need to roam, so the double standard is as old as adultery itself.
Video examples
How to Speak Chimpanzee...
But while chimps across the world only have a limited repertoire of vocalizations, they constantly invent and share new gestures with each other. One theory basically is that they imitate gestures from each other.
Video examples
What’s the difference...
He developed three brilliant laws of planetary motion while he was studying decades of precise astronomical data in an effort to find support for his theory. While his three laws are still in use today,
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Garrett Camp
Canadian Businessman
The bigger a company gets, the more people are involved in decisions, the slower decisions get made. Look, the whole theory of startups is that three motivated people can go and do something that every company can't.
Quote examples
Theodore Roosevelt
American President
The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life.
Quote examples
Stephen Hawking
English Physicist
According to 'M' theory, ours is not the only universe. Instead, 'M' theory predicts that a great many universes were created out of nothing.
Quote examples
Gilbert Gottfried
American Comedian
People have many theories about comedy, but being just plain funny is the one most important thing.
Quote examples
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
German Writer
All theory, dear friend, is gray, but the golden tree of life springs ever green.
Quote examples
Hunter S. Thompson
American Journalist
I have a theory that the truth is never told during the nine-to-five hours.
Quote examples
Kenneth R. Miller
American Scientist
We don't regard any scientific theory as the absolute truth.
Quote examples
Albert Einstein
German Physicist
I have just got a new theory of eternity.
Quote examples
Paul Samuelson
American Economist
Funeral by funeral, theory advances.
Quote examples
Anthony Trollope
English Author
Life is so unlike theory.
Quote examples
Garrett Camp
Canadian Businessman
The bigger a company gets, the more people are involved in decisions, the slower decisions get made. Look, the whole theory of startups is that three motivated people can go and do something that every company can't.
Quote examples
Theodore Roosevelt
American President
The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life.
Quote examples
Stephen Hawking
English Physicist
According to 'M' theory, ours is not the only universe. Instead, 'M' theory predicts that a great many universes were created out of nothing.
Quote examples
Gilbert Gottfried
American Comedian
People have many theories about comedy, but being just plain funny is the one most important thing.
Quote examples
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
German Writer
All theory, dear friend, is gray, but the golden tree of life springs ever green.
Quote examples
Hunter S. Thompson
American Journalist
I have a theory that the truth is never told during the nine-to-five hours.
Quote examples
Kenneth R. Miller
American Scientist
We don't regard any scientific theory as the absolute truth.
Quote examples
Albert Einstein
German Physicist
I have just got a new theory of eternity.
Quote examples
Paul Samuelson
American Economist
Funeral by funeral, theory advances.
Quote examples
Anthony Trollope
English Author
Life is so unlike theory.
Example 1 of 10
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