In casual conversation, the word theory implies guesswork or speculation. In the language of science, an explanation or conclusion made in a theory carries much more weight because it is supported by experimental verification and widely accepted by the scientific community. After a hypothesis has been repeatedly tested for falsifiability through documented and independent studies, it eventually becomes accepted as a scientific theory.
It's interesting to note how the word "theory" takes on a different meaning in science compared to everyday conversation. In science, a theory is a solid idea backed by evidence, not just a guess.