noun
speculation
spehk-yuh-LAY-shuhn
noun
1
A guess or theory formed without firm evidence.
"There has been a lot of speculation about who will be the next CEO."
"The article was pure speculation, with no named sources at all."
2
The practice of buying or trading something risky in hopes of profiting from price changes.
"Property speculation drove prices up sharply in the city center."
How to Use Speculation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGuessing without proof, or making risky trades hoping the price will move in your favor.
Common pairings
fuel speculation
media speculation
financial speculation
Word Forms
speculations plural
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Etymology
From Old French speculation, from Late Latin speculātiō, from Latin speculor ("to observe, spy out").