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
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antispeculativeadjective
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antispeculativelyadverb
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antispeculativenessnoun
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hyperspeculativeadjective
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hyperspeculativelyadverb
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hyperspeculativenessnoun
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nonspeculativeadjective
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nonspeculativelyadverb
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nonspeculativenessnoun
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overspeculativeadjective
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overspeculativelyadverb
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overspeculativenessnoun
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semispeculativeadjective
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semispeculativelyadverb
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semispeculativenessnoun
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speculativelyadverb
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speculativenessnoun
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unspeculativeadjective
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.
Speculative trading that contributed to price surges has also ramped up in recent months.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
"Speculative reports on militarily sensitive matters are undesirable in light of our security interests... and our relations with key Middle Eastern countries," he said.
From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026
Speculative tickets are offered by resellers who list concert passes they don’t yet have in their possession, with the intention that they will ultimately acquire the tickets and deliver them to the buyer.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026
Speculative stocks, including those featured in indexes of the most heavily shorted names in the U.S., came under pressure, as did bitcoin,
From MarketWatch • Nov. 30, 2025
Cureton also published several sermons, among which was one entitled The Doctrine of the Trinity not Speculative but Practical.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 8 "Cube" to "Daguerre, Louis" by Various
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.
