Empirical can still be used critically to describe ideas and practices that rely on experience or observation alone and without due regard for system or theory.

Empirical definition: derived from or guided by direct experience or by experiment, rather than abstract principles or theory.. See examples of EMPIRICAL used in a sentence.

EMPIRICAL definition: 1. based on what is experienced or seen rather than on theory: 2. based on what is experienced or…. Learn more.

Definition of empirical adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

empirical, adj. & n. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

Discover everything about the word "EMPIRICAL" in English: meanings, translations, synonyms, pronunciations, examples, and grammar insights - all in one comprehensive guide.

If knowledge is empirical, it's based on observation rather than theory. To do an empirical study of donut shops, you'll need to visit every one you can find. Empirical looks like empire but comes …

Synonyms for EMPIRICAL: observational, objective, experimental, existential, factual, experiential, actual, real; Antonyms of EMPIRICAL: theoretical, speculative, hypothetical, …

In scientific use, the term empirical refers to the gathering of data using only evidence that is observable by the senses or in some cases using calibrated scientific instruments.

Oct 16, 2025 · empirical (plural empiricals) A measurement or result achieved by empirical means.