Empirical

Quick meaning: Empirical is an adjective meaning Pertaining to or based on experience, as opposed to theory.

Meaning

Pertaining to or based on experience, as opposed to theory.

More Meanings

1. Pertaining to, derived from, or testable by observations made using the physical senses or using instruments which extend the senses.
2. (philosophy of science) Verifiable by means of scientific experimentation.
3. A measurement or result achieved by empirical means.

Example Sentences

demonstrable with empirical evidence

The lengths were calculated according to the empirical rules of the trade.

The village carpenter […] lays out his work by empirical rules learnt in his apprenticeship.

For some presumptive diagnoses, empirical antibiotic therapy begins immediately, whereas specific antibiotic therapy must await the results of the culture and sensitivity test.

Word Forms

• empiricals

Synonyms for empirical

Depending on context, synonyms include experiential, experimental, existential, verifiable, semiempirical, observational.

Antonyms for empirical

Common opposites include nonempirical, theoretical, anecdotal, theoretic.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include experiential, existential, observational, verifiable, confirmable, semiempirical.

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