1. A proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations
   "The scientist developed a hypothesis to explain the unusual data"
    
2. 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";
   - possibility, theory
    
3. A message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
   "His hypothesis about the company's future proved to be incorrect";
   - guess, conjecture, supposition, surmise, surmisal, speculation

Derived forms: hypotheses

Type of: concept, conception, construct, opinion, proposal, view

Part of: theory

Encyclopedia: Hypothesis