Theory and Theatre Both Mean Looking
A theory explains how something works. The Greek root means to look at or contemplate, and it also gives English theatre.
A theory is an explanation of how something works. The Greek *theoria* meant contemplation or looking at — the same root that gives *theatre*, a place for looking. A theorist and a theatregoer are both, etymologically, spectators. The everyday meaning of theory as a guess has caused endless trouble, because in science a theory is the opposite: a well-tested explanation.
- A tested explanation. *The theory of evolution.*
- A guess (informal). *I have a theory about that.*
- A body of principles. *Music theory.*
- In theory — as opposed to in practice. *In theory it works.*
- Theoretical — the adjective. *Theoretical physics.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | theory | A new theory. |
| Plural | theories | Rival theories. |
| Adjective | theoretical | Theoretical work. |
| Agent | theorist | A political theorist. |
| Verb | theorise | They theorise that… |
- The theory predicts the result precisely.Science.
- That is just a theory of mine.Everyday: a hunch.
- In theory, yes. In practice, no.The contrast.
Hypothesis, theory, law
- Hypothesis — a testable proposal, not yet supported
- Theory — an explanation supported by a large body of evidence
- Law — a description of a regularity, often mathematical
- A law does not outrank a theory — they do different jobs
- The everyday sense of theory as a guess is the source of most confusion
Greek *theoria*, contemplation or speculation, from *theorein*, to look at. English took it through Late Latin in the 1500s.
Is a scientific theory just a guess?
No. In science a theory is a well-supported explanation. A guess is a hypothesis, and it has to survive testing before it becomes anything more.
Are theory and theatre related?
Yes. Both come from the Greek root meaning to look at or behold.