Hypothesis
/haɪˈpɒθ.ə.sɪs/noun
A proposed explanation or assumption made on the basis of limited evidence.
Did you know?In Greek, hypothesis was literally a “foundation” or “base,” and only later did it become the modern scientific guess — a reminder that ideas once had to be built like altars before they could be tested.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
hypóthesis
“a placing under; a foundation, basis, or assumption”
Late Greek
Greek
hypóthesis
“a proposition or supposition, especially in argument or philosophy”
Late Latin
Latin
hypothesis
“a supposition or assumption”
Middle French
French
hypothèse
“a proposition assumed without proof”
16th-17th Century
English
hypothesis
“a supposition or proposed explanation used for reasoning or inquiry”
Modern English
English
hypothesis
“a tentative explanation based on limited evidence”
Explore more surprising origins