hypothesize

/haɪˌpɑθəˈsaɪz/

/haɪˈpɒθəsaɪz/

Other forms: hypothesized; hypothesizes; hypothesizing

To hypothesize means simply to make a hypothesis. Which is just a scientific way of saying "make a really good educated guess."

Ok, so when someone hypothesizes there's a little bit more involved than just guesswork. It involves using your past knowledge and available facts to try and predict what might happen. Scientists hypothesize all the time — it's the basis for every experiment. For example, doctors examining a werewolf might hypothesize that his furry face and oddball behavior stem from an illness and not the full moon.

Definitions of hypothesize

1. verb

   to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
   synonyms: conjecture, hypothecate, hypothesise, speculate, suppose, theorise, theorize

   types:

   construct, reconstruct, retrace

   reassemble mentally

   develop, explicate, formulate

   elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses

   etymologise, etymologize

   construct the history of words

   mature

   develop and work out fully in one's mind

   redevelop, reformulate

   formulate or develop again, of an improved theory or hypothesis

   type of:

   anticipate, expect

   regard something as probable or likely