a proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations
a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena; a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory; he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices
[ Syn: possibility , theory ]
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
[ Syn: guess , conjecture , supposition , surmise , surmisal , speculation ]