speculative
Americanadjective
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pertaining to, of the nature of, or characterized by speculation, contemplation, conjecture, or abstract reasoning.
a speculative approach.
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theoretical, rather than practical.
speculative conclusions.
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given to speculation, as persons, the mind, etc.
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of the nature of or involving commercial or financial speculation.
speculative ventures.
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engaging in or given to such speculation.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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overspeculativelyadverb
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overspeculativenessnoun
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hyperspeculativeadjective
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speculativenessnoun
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antispeculativenessnoun
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nonspeculativeadjective
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hyperspeculativelyadverb
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semispeculativenessnoun
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hyperspeculativenessnoun
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semispeculativelyadverb
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speculativelyadverb
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antispeculativeadjective
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nonspeculativelyadverb
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overspeculativeadjective
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unspeculativeadjective
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antispeculativelyadverb
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nonspeculativenessnoun
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semispeculativeadjective
Etymology
Origin of speculative
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word speculātīvus. See speculate, -ive
Explanation
Speculative describes very risky and unproven ideas or chances. You might have great ideas about starting your own business but your plans are speculative until you earn money from them. Speculative describes abstract ideas — usually with high risk — that often come with excitement and expectation too. A speculative investment could mean putting lots of cash into a business or real estate property hoping it will make money later. Anything speculative is based on prediction: whatever it is hasn't happened yet.
Vocabulary lists containing speculative
Grade 9, List 1
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"Macbeth" Vocabulary from Act V
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And Then There Were None
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Of course, many IPOs are of small, highly speculative companies.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
This does not mean that companies doing seedy, speculative things won’t be included in the S&P 500.
From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026
Historically, that conservative approach was seen as prudent, protecting investors from speculative excess and ensuring that index constituents demonstrated operational viability before gaining access to trillions of dollars of public capital flows.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026
Even lesser-known stocks are reaping the benefits from speculative trading, too, as AI excitement spreads.
From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026
Vivi gives her a speculative look and then shakes her head.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
