hypothesis

An idea about how or why something happens that you can check through research or experiments.

• The experiment supports our hypothesis.
• Scientists tested several hypotheses about the disease.
• Does the new evidence fit your original hypothesis?

How to use it: hypothesis that… (We tested the hypothesis that plants grow faster in warm rooms.); hypothesis about something (They proposed a hypothesis about the cause of the disease.)

Similar words: theory, proposed explanation

Common phrases: test a hypothesis, working hypothesis, support a hypothesis, scientific hypothesis

An idea accepted for discussion or investigation even though it has not been proved.

• That is only a hypothesis.
• Her claim remains a hypothesis without proof.
• We began our discussion with the hypothesis that everyone would agree.

How to use it: on the hypothesis that… (Let us reason on the hypothesis that the story is true.)

Similar words: assumption, supposition, conjecture

Common phrases: mere hypothesis, pure hypothesis, on the hypothesis