speculate
19 synonyms for speculate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To guess or form a theory about something without having solid proof.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
mull
theorize
theorise
ruminate
chew over
mull over
think over
excogitate
hypothesize
hypothesise
hypothecate
How to use speculate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
speculate about
speculate on the stock market
speculate wildly
Etymology
From Latin speculārī ("to watch, observe, spy"), from specula ("a watchtower") — originally about "keeping watch," it drifted toward "forming a theory" and later "taking a financial gamble."
Full origin of speculate →Frequently asked questions
What does “speculate” mean?
The word “speculate” means to guess or form a theory about something without having solid proof. In plain terms, to guess based on limited facts, or to take a financial risk hoping for a big payoff.
How do you pronounce “speculate”?
“Speculate” is pronounced SPEHK-yuu-layt (/ˈspɛk.jəˌleɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “speculate” in a sentence?
Here is “speculate” used in a sentence: “Reporters speculated about the reasons behind the sudden resignation.”
What part of speech is “speculate”?
“Speculate” is a verb.
Where does the word “speculate” come from?
The word “speculate” comes from Latin. From Latin speculārī ("to watch, observe, spy"), from specula ("a watchtower") — originally about "keeping watch," it drifted toward "forming a theory" and later "taking a financial gamble.".
Is “speculate” a common word?
“Speculate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “speculate” have?
“Speculate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to guess or form a theory about something without having solid proof.
