speculative
SPEHK-yoo-luh-tihv
Speculative (adj) means Based on guesswork or unproven theory rather than solid fact. Example: “The scientist was careful to label her early findings as speculative.”
adj
1
Based on guesswork or unproven theory rather than solid fact.
"The scientist was careful to label her early findings as speculative."
2
Involving significant financial risk in the hope of a large reward.
"They put their bonus into a speculative investment that could double or vanish."
How to use speculative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot confirmed — either an unproven idea, or a financially risky bet.
Common pairings
speculative fiction
speculative investment
purely speculative
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more speculative
- Superlative
- most speculative
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The scientist was careful to label her early findings as _____.
Etymology
From Late Latin speculativus, from Latin speculor ("to observe, spy out").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for speculative
See all rhymes for speculative →Frequently asked questions
What does “speculative” mean?
The word “speculative” means based on guesswork or unproven theory rather than solid fact. In plain terms, not confirmed — either an unproven idea, or a financially risky bet.
How do you pronounce “speculative”?
“Speculative” is pronounced SPEHK-yoo-luh-tihv (/ˈspɛkjuləˌtɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “speculative” in a sentence?
Here is “speculative” used in a sentence: “The scientist was careful to label her early findings as speculative.”
What part of speech is “speculative”?
“Speculative” is an adjective.
Where does the word “speculative” come from?
The word “speculative” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin speculativus, from Latin speculor ("to observe, spy out").
Is “speculative” a common word?
“Speculative” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “speculative” have?
“Speculative” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: based on guesswork or unproven theory rather than solid fact.
