hypothesize

/haɪˈpɑθəˌsaɪz/ verb C2 ✓

**Hypothesize** means to put forward an educated guess as a starting point for further investigation. It implies framing a tentative explanation that can be tested. In practice, you hypothesize when you spot a pattern or an oddity and need a plausible story to guide experiments, surveys, or detective work. The verb carries a sense of provisionality—your suggestion stands until evidence either supports or knocks it down. Writers often hypothesize about character motives, while scientists draft hypotheses before running any lab work, and even everyday folks might hypothesize why the coffee machine is jammed.

【核心含义】提出基于一定依据的推测,作为进一步研究的起点。

常与"that从句"连用(hypothesize that...),多用于科研或推理场景。中文使用者易混淆"假设"与"猜测"——前者需有逻辑基础,后者更随意。避免用于已证实的结论。

【Significado central】Proponer una explicación tentativa, basada en indicios o razonamiento, que sirva como punto de partida para una investigación o verificación posterior.

Se usa sobre todo en contextos académicos y científicos (formal). Se construye frecuentemente con la conjunción "que": *Los científicos hipotetizan que el fenómeno se debe al cambio climático*. Es importante no confundirlo con "adivinar" o "suponer" a la ligera: hipotetizar implica formular una explicación lógica que pueda ponerse a prueba, no un simple palpite sin fundamento. Es sinónimo de "formular una hipótesis" o "plantear como hipótesis". Evítalo cuando ya se tiene una conclusión comprobada.

Word Origin From Greek hypo- 'under' and tithenai 'to place' — a hypothesis is literally a placing under, a foundation for reasoning. To hypothesize is to lay down a supposition. The same root tithenai gives us thesis (a placing), theme (a proposition), and synthesis (putting together). The PIE root *dheh- 'to put' is also the source of do and deed.

verb To assume or assert tentatively on uncertain grounds. C2 ✓

Scientists hypothesize that the phenomenon is caused by climate change.

(动词) 假设;假定

科学家假设这一现象是由气候变化引起的。

(verbo) hipotetizar; suponer; conjeturar; especular; presumir [Suponer o afirmar tentativamente sobre bases inciertas.]

Los científicos hipotetizan que el fenómeno es causado por el cambio climático.

(verbe) émettre une hypothèse; supposer; conjecturer; postuler; présumer [Émettre une hypothèse, supposer quelque chose sur des bases incertaines ou provisoires.]

Les scientifiques **hypothesize** que le phénomène est causé par le changement climatique.

(Verb) **hypothesize** *Verb* – eine Annahme oder Vermutung aufstellen, ohne dass diese bereits sicher belegt ist.

Forscher **hypothesize**, dass die Veränderung auf menschliche Einflüsse zurückzuführen ist.

(動詞) 確実な根拠がないまま暫定的に仮定する。仮説を立てる。

科学者たちはその現象が気候変動によって引き起こされると仮説を立てている。

(verbo) hipotetizar; conjecturar; supor; presumir; formular uma hipótese [Assumir ou afirmar tentativamente com base em fundamentos incertos.]

Os cientistas formulam a hipótese de que o fenômeno é causado pelas mudanças climáticas.

Word parts: hypo + thes + ize

Common collocations

be verb to prep of prep in prep word subst can verb have verb might verb about prep this adj only adv at prep

Related words

Get offline access, pronunciation, spaced repetition, and learning games:

Download Syntaxiom →
📱 Offline access 🔊 Pronunciation 🧠 Spaced repetition 📖 Native language bridges