English pronunciation · Words Starting with T

Theoretical Pronunciation

Theoretical is pronounced thee-er-E-ti-kuhl, IPA /ˌθiɝˈɛtɪkəl/.

thee-er-E-ti-kuhl

US /ˌθiɝˈɛtɪkəl/  ·  UK /θiəˈrɛtɪkəl/

Syllables: thee · er · E · ti · kuhl (5 syllables, stress on syllable 3)

adjective: Based on ideas and reasoning rather than on practice or experience.

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Theoretical in a Sentence

  • The objection is theoretical rather than practical.
  • He works on theoretical physics.
  • There is a theoretical risk, but nobody has seen it happen.

Common Mispronunciations of Theoretical

Not THEE-uh-re-ti-kuhl

Volume waits for the E in third place. Theory keeps its push at the front and the longer word takes it away.

Not thee-uh-REE-ti-kuhl

E in third place is clipped to the length of bed. The ee of theory sits in a different beat and does not travel with the stress.

Tip: Five beats, thee-er-E-ti-kuhl. Theoretically adds a sixth and leaves the push where it is.

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