adjective
tentative
TEHN-tuh-tihv
adjective
1
Not yet certain or fixed; provisional, subject to change.
"We have a tentative date for the wedding, but it's not confirmed yet."
2
Hesitant or cautious, as if unsure or testing the waters.
"He gave a tentative smile before agreeing to the plan."
How to Use Tentative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot fully settled yet — either a plan that could still change, or a cautious, unsure manner.
Common pairings
a tentative agreement
a tentative step
tentative plans
Word Forms
more tentative comparative, tentatives plural, most tentative superlative
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We have a _____ date for the wedding, but it's not confirmed yet.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin tentativus ("trying, testing"), from Latin tentare ("to try, test").