easy
Our hypothesis was that sunlight helps the plant grow faster.
What does Hypothesis mean?
a possible explanation that can be tested with evidence.
Dictionary definition
A proposed, testable explanation for an observation or question that can be evaluated with evidence.
Example sentences
Hypothesis in a sentence
medium
The experiment tested the student's hypothesis.
hard
A strong hypothesis can be checked with observations, data, or a fair test.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Hypothesis
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What is a scientific hypothesis?
A hypothesis explains why or how something may happen and can be evaluated with evidence.
Practice 2
Which statement is a hypothesis rather than only a prediction?
The statement proposes a cause that can be tested.
Practice 3
Which statement is accurate?
Scientific hypotheses remain open to evaluation and revision.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Hypothesis
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Sounds like
hy · poth · uh · sis · strongest beat: poth
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordHypothesis.
Partnoun.
MeaningHypothesis means a possible explanation that can be tested with evidence.
ExampleExample: Our hypothesis was that sunlight helps the plant grow faster.
Word breakdown
4 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- hy · poth · uh · sis
- Strongest beat
- poth
- Ending
- sis
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on poth.
Your turn
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Synonyms
Words like Hypothesis
proposed explanationThe closest plain-language equivalent for a scientific hypothesis.
tentative explanationA close term emphasizing that the explanation remains open to testing and revision.
suppositionA broader formal term for an idea accepted provisionally, not necessarily a scientific testable explanation.
Antonym review
Does Hypothesis have an opposite?
Hypothesis names a proposed explanation and has no direct antonym. Proven fact and random guess are different kinds of claims, not lexical opposites.
Synonym practice
Want to practice hypothesis synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The student's hypothesis was tested with an experiment," then compare close word choices. Practice hypothesis synonyms.
Word family
Hypothesis word family
Base word
hypothesis
noun
hypotheses
More than one hypothesis; pronounced hy-POTH-uh-seez.
verb
hypothesize
To propose a testable explanation.
adjective
hypothetical
Based on a proposed or imagined situation.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Hypothesis
Hint for students
A hypothesis answers a possible why or how; a prediction says what you expect to observe if the explanation is useful.
Common mix-up
Hypothesis does not simply mean educated guess or prediction. In science it is a testable proposed explanation, while a prediction is an expected outcome.
Try it in class or at home
Students match observation cards with possible hypotheses and predictions, reject pairs that cannot be tested, then design one measurement that could evaluate a selected hypothesis.
Teacher prompt
For one investigation, write a hypothesis and a prediction. How does the hypothesis explain while the prediction states an expected result?
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Word Wheel · Grades 4–6
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Learning activities
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