noun
hypothesis
heye-PO-thih-sihs
noun
1
A proposed explanation for something that can be tested through further study or experiment.
"Her hypothesis was that the plants would grow faster under blue light."
"Scientists ran several trials to test the hypothesis."
How to Use Hypothesis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn educated guess or proposed explanation, made to be tested.
Common mistake
A hypothesis is a testable guess, not a proven fact — don't treat it as a conclusion.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
test a hypothesis
form a hypothesis
working hypothesis
Word Forms
hypotheses plural
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Her _____ was that the plants would grow faster under blue light.
Etymology
From Greek hypothesis ("a placing under, a basis for argument"), from hypotithēmi ("to put forward, suggest").