proposal - something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)

concept, conception, construct - an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances

framework, model, theoretical account - a simplified description of a complex entity or process; "the computer program was based on a model of the circulatory and respiratory systems"

conjecture, speculation - a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence); "speculations about the outcome of the election"; "he dismissed it as mere conjecture"

supposal, supposition, assumption - a hypothesis that is taken for granted; "any society is built upon certain assumptions"

theory - a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena; "theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses"; "true in fact and theory"

opinion, view - a message expressing a belief about something; the expression of a belief that is held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof; "his opinions appeared frequently on the editorial page"

divination - successful conjecture by unusual insight or good luck