What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Fictional vs Hypothetical - What's the difference?

fictional | hypothetical |

As adjectives the difference between fictional and hypothetical

is that fictional is invented, as opposed to real while hypothetical is based upon a hypothesis; conjectural.

As a noun hypothetical is

a hypothetical situation or proposition.

fictional

English

Adjective

(wikipedia fictional) (en adjective)
  • Invented, as opposed to real.
    • Romeo and Juliet are fictional characters.
    The janitor's account of the crime turned out to be entirely fictional .

    Related terms

    * fictive * fictitious * fictitional

    hypothetical

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Based upon a hypothesis; conjectural
  • *
  • (philosophy) conditional; contingent upon some hypothesis/antecedent

    • Synonyms

    * conjectural * (contingent upon some hypothesis) conditional

    Antonyms

    * (actual) actual * (in philosophy) categorical

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A hypothetical situation or proposition
    • These hypotheticals serve no purpose until we have more information.

    Related terms

    * hypothesis * hypothesize