theorize

/ˈθiəˌraɪz/

Other forms: theorizing; theorized; theorizes

When you theorize, you come up with an explanation for how something happens, based on ideas that can be tested. You may theorize that your dog is afraid of loud noises after you see her cower under the bed during fireworks and thunderstorms.

When someone theorizes, they're not just making a wild guess. They're forming a theory, or a testable explanation that they can confirm through experimentation. After a scientist theorizes and the theory sticks around and is tested again and again in a rigorous way, it becomes an "established theory," like the theory of gravity or plate tectonics theory. The Greek root theorein means "to consider, speculate, or look at."

Definitions of theorize

1. verb

   construct a theory about
   “Galileo theorized the motion of the stars”

   type of:

   reason

   think logically
2. verb

   form or construct theories
   “he thinks and theorizes all day”

   type of:

   reason

   think logically
3. verb

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

   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