Empirical
/ɛmˈpɪrɪkəl/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Empirical describes information or knowledge that comes from what you can see, touch, or measure in the real world. It is about learning from actual experience or tests, not just thinking or guessing. Scientists use empirical data to prove if something is true.
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See It in Action
Based on observation or experiment
- •The scientist collected empirical data from the experiment.
- •Empirical evidence shows that the medicine works.
- •The study was based on empirical research, not just theory.
Relating to practical experience rather than theory
- •His empirical approach helped solve the problem quickly.
- •Empirical methods are important in learning about the real world.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "empirical" like "real" or "true" but with proof from observation or experiment, not just an idea
- ✓Picture a scientist watching plants grow every day and writing down what happens, instead of only guessing how plants grow
- ✓It’s the feeling when you check the weather outside yourself instead of just listening to a forecast
- ✓Sounds like "emp-PEER-ih-kul" → imagine a group of peers (friends) looking carefully at something to find the truth together
- ✓Think of Sherlock Holmes using evidence from the scene to solve a mystery — he uses empirical facts, not guesses
- ✓NOT like "theoretical" (only ideas or thoughts), empirical means based on actual facts you can see or test
- ✓NOT like "guess" or "opinion," which are personal ideas without proof
- ✓Empirical knowledge is active and tested, not just imagined or assumed
Try Other Words
- •Observed: seen or noticed directly (Use when focusing on what you have personally seen)
- •Experimental: based on tests or experiments (Use when emphasizing controlled scientific tests)
- •Practical: based on actual experience (Use when talking about hands-on knowledge or skills)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "em-" (variant of "en-", meaning "in") + "piric" from Greek "peira" meaning "trial, experiment" + suffix "-al" meaning "related to"
- •Etymology: From Latin "empiricus," from Greek "empeirikos," meaning "experienced" or "based on experience"
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s to describe knowledge from experience and observation, especially in science
- •Modern usage: Common in science, research, and philosophy to describe knowledge or data from real-world evidence, not just ideas
Reflect & Connect
•How does empirical knowledge help us trust scientific studies more than just opinions?
•Can you think of a time when you learned something important through empirical experience rather than being told?
Fill in the blanks
1.Scientists rely on empirical data because it is based on ___ or tests, not just ideas.
2.Empirical evidence is important when you want to ___ if a theory is true.
3.Unlike theoretical ideas, empirical results come from ___ observation or experiments.
4.When you learn by doing and watching, you are gaining ___ knowledge.
5.Empirical studies often require careful ___ and recording of what happens.
6.If someone only guesses without proof, their idea is not ___.
7.The scientist’s empirical approach helped ___ the problem with real facts.