[, ]a formal set of ideas that is intended to explain why sth happens or exists 学说;论◆Maslow's theory of human motivation 马斯洛人类动机论◆the boom and bust theory of British economics 英国经济学的繁荣与萧条交替循环论
[, ]the principles on which a particular activity is based 理论;原理◆management theory 管理理论◆the theory and practice of design 设计理论与实务
[] an opinion or idea that sb believes is true but may in fact be wrong 意见;看法◆The theory is that CEOs get rich only when shareholders get rich. 有一种看法认为,只有股东富有了,首席执行官才能变得富有。
●in ˈtheoryused to say that a particular statement is supposed to be true but may in fact be wrong 理论上;按理说◆In theory, these machines can last up to ten years. 理论上讲,这些机器最多可运行十年。◆This all sounds fine in theory, but would it work in practice? 这话听起来都有道理,但是在实践中是否可行?expectancy theory game theory organization theory