speculation
spehk-yuh-LAY-shuhn
Speculation (noun) means a guess or theory formed without firm evidence. Example: “Rumours fuelled speculation that the old cinema would close soon.”
noun
1
A guess or theory formed without firm evidence.
"Rumours fuelled speculation that the old cinema would close soon."
"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.
"Speculation in shares can make you rich or leave you with nothing."
"He lost his savings through reckless speculation in risky investments."
"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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like speculation.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- speculations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Rumours fuelled _____ that the old cinema would close soon.
Etymology
From Old French speculation, from Late Latin speculātiō, from Latin speculor ("to observe, spy out").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for speculation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for speculation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “speculation” mean?
The word “speculation” means a guess or theory formed without firm evidence. In plain terms, guessing without proof, or making risky trades hoping the price will move in your favor.
How do you pronounce “speculation”?
“Speculation” is pronounced spehk-yuh-LAY-shuhn (/ˌspɛk.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “speculation” in a sentence?
Here is “speculation” used in a sentence: “There has been a lot of speculation about who will be the next CEO.”
What part of speech is “speculation”?
“Speculation” is a noun.
Where does the word “speculation” come from?
The word “speculation” comes from Late Latin. From Old French speculation, from Late Latin speculātiō, from Latin speculor ("to observe, spy out").
Is “speculation” a common word?
“Speculation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “speculation” have?
“Speculation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a guess or theory formed without firm evidence.
What is the difference between speculation and investment?
In finance, speculation is the practice of buying or trading something risky in the hope of profiting from price changes, often over a short period. Investment generally refers to putting money into assets with the expectation of steadier, longer-term returns; the key difference is the level of risk and the reliance on price swings rather than underlying value.
What is the difference between speculation and a hypothesis?
Speculation is a guess or theory formed without firm evidence, and it may never be tested. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation that is deliberately framed so it can be tested against evidence, which gives it a more formal, scientific status.
What is the difference between speculation and rumour?
A rumour is an unverified story or claim that spreads from person to person. Speculation is the act of forming guesses or theories without firm evidence; rumours often start as someone's speculation, but a rumour is the circulating claim itself rather than the guessing.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include speculation:
