Empirical

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪmˈpɪrɪkl/

Origin

From empiric + -al.

Full definition of empirical

Adjective

1. Pertaining to or based on experience.
• H. SpencerThe village carpenter ... lays out his work by empirical rules learnt in his apprenticeship.
2. Pertaining to, derived from, or testable by observations made using the physical senses or using instruments which extend the senses.
3. (philosophy of science) Verifiable by means of scientific experimentation.

Synonyms

• empiric

Antonyms

• nonempirical

Coordinate terms

• conceptual
• theoretical
• anecdotal

Derived terms

• empirically

Related terms

• empiricism
• empiricist