tentative

[ ten-tuh-tiv ]

adjective

1. of the nature of or made or done as a trial, experiment, or attempt; experimental:

   a tentative report on her findings.

2. unsure; uncertain; not definite or positive; hesitant:

   a tentative smile on his face.

tentative

/ ˈtɛntətɪv /

adjective

1. provisional or experimental; conjectural
2. hesitant, uncertain, or cautious

Derived Forms

• ˈtentativeness, noun
• ˈtentatively, adverb

Other Words From

• ten·ta·tive·ly adverb
• ten·ta·tive·ness noun
• non·ten·ta·tive adjective
• non·ten·ta·tive·ness noun
• pre·ten·ta·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tentative¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Medieval Latin tentātīvus, equivalent to Latin tentāt(us) (past participle of tentāre, variant of temptāre “to test”; tempt ) + -īvus adjective suffix ( -ive )

Word History and Origins

Origin of tentative¹

C16: from Medieval Latin tentātīvus, from Latin tentāre to test

Example Sentences

When on August 7, 2013 Future finally did share a tentative date, he also made a significant change.

From The Daily Beast

The tentative location of the quarantine (which is “still to be defined”) is Casablanca.

From The Daily Beast

In the Peach State, Michelle Nunn, the daughter of former Senator Sam Nunn, appears to have scratched out a tentative lead.

From The Daily Beast

Torn between so many different impulses, Tomlinson Hill ends up as tentative as our country itself.

From The Daily Beast

Instead Hollywood remains tentative, depending on women-friendly filmmakers like Cukor, Hawks, and now Feig to push the envelope.

From The Daily Beast

The present translation is necessarily tentative in many places, but it is hoped marks an advance over those already published.

From Project Gutenberg

A tentative cry issued from the baby; a bass exclamation issued from Jed Lewis.

From Project Gutenberg

As some small, tentative contribution to the understanding of this under-life, the plan of this volume has been designed.

From Project Gutenberg

Since she was evidently a woman of pronounced character, her bewilderment and tentative attitude were not allowed for.

From Project Gutenberg

Average Jones' still untouched glass, almost full of the precious port, trembled and sang a little tentative response.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cautious
• hesitant
• reluctant
• timid
• unsure
• wobbly