theoretically

From theoretical + -ly.

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Audio (US):

  (file)

theoretically (not comparable)

1. in theory; on paper

   I haven't tested it, but theoretically it ought to fly.

   • 2019 February 8, Saunatimes Guest Posts, quoting Tyler, “Father and sons take a 280 degree f. sauna, documenting the only “300 Club” in North America”, in SaunaTimes‎^[1]:

     Of course, it will never get -100 here like it does in Antarctica, but a 300-degree swing was still theoretically possible on a record-cold Minnesota morning–if we got the sauna hot enough.

2. in a theoretical manner

   I solved the problem theoretically rather than practically.

3. in theory though not necessarily in reality.
   • 1985 December 14, Gordon Gottlieb, “L.A. Community Divided over Terrigno Indictment”, in Gay Community News, volume 13, number 22, page 10:

     Rumors of an indictment had spread through this heavily gay and lesbian community since shortly after the theoretically secret investigation began in 1984.

   • 2023 November 1, Honest Dentist Appointment:

     No, but insurance does cover it. Theoretically.

• heterotically