empirical
em-PEER-ih-kuladjMeaning based on observation or experiment, not on theory alone
Memory hook em-PEER-ical: PEER at it yourself. Don’t just guess how many seeds will sprout: peer at them, count them, write it down. Knowledge you get by peering and testing is empirical.
Sami gathered empirical evidence by timing how long each paper airplane stayed in the air.
In context The claim sounded convincing, but it had no empirical support: no one had ever tested it, measured anything or watched it happen.
Similar observed, experimental, evidence-based, firsthand
Opposite theoretical, speculative, hypothetical
From Greek empeirikos, “experienced,” from empeiria, “experience.”