adjective
Uncommon
tentative
TEHN-tuh-tihv
Tentative (adjective) means not yet certain or fixed; provisional, subject to change. Example: “We have a tentative date for the wedding, but it's not confirmed yet.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- tentatives
- Comparative
- more tentative
- Superlative
- most tentative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for tentative
See all rhymes for tentative →Frequently asked questions
What does “tentative” mean?
The word “tentative” means not yet certain or fixed; provisional, subject to change. In plain terms, not fully settled yet — either a plan that could still change, or a cautious, unsure manner.
How do you pronounce “tentative”?
“Tentative” is pronounced TEHN-tuh-tihv (/ˈtɛntətɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “tentative” in a sentence?
Here is “tentative” used in a sentence: “We have a tentative date for the wedding, but it's not confirmed yet.”
What is the opposite of “tentative”?
The opposite of “tentative” — its antonyms — are conclusive, definitive and certain.
What part of speech is “tentative”?
“Tentative” is an adjective.
Where does the word “tentative” come from?
The word “tentative” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin tentativus ("trying, testing"), from Latin tentare ("to try, test").
Is “tentative” a common word?
“Tentative” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tentative” have?
“Tentative” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not yet certain or fixed; provisional, subject to change.
