hypothesis
hye-POTH-uh-sisnounMeaning a proposed explanation that can be tested
Memory hook HYPO = UNDER: an idea put UNDER a test. Kai guesses that music helps plants grow, so he plays songs to one plant and not to the other. A guess that you put under a test is a hypothesis.
Kai’s hypothesis was that plants given music would grow taller.
In context Every test so far had matched her hypothesis, but the scientist kept experimenting, knowing that one careful result could still prove her idea wrong.
Similar educated guess, proposition, supposition, conjecture
Opposite fact, certainty
From Greek hypothesis, “a foundation, a supposition”: hypo (under) + thesis (a placing).