speculator

American  

[spek-yuh-ley-ter] / ˈspɛk yəˌleɪ tər /

noun

1. a person who is engaged in commercial or financial speculation.

2. a person who makes advance purchases of tickets, as to games or theatrical performances, that are likely to be in demand, for resale later at a higher price.

3. a person who is devoted to mental speculation.

---

speculator British  

/ ˈspɛkjʊˌleɪtə /

noun

1. a person who speculates

2. rugby an undirected kick of the ball

---

Etymology

Origin of speculator

1545–55; < Latin speculātor explorer, equivalent to speculā ( rī ) to watch over, explore, reconnoiter ( speculate ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

“Financial speculators, including Sprott Physical Uranium Trust have intensified its activity in the recent period with substantial fundraising amounts and uranium procurement on the spot market,” Citi says.

From The Wall Street Journal

Gold topped $5,500 an ounce last month, while silver rose above $120, boosted by a wave of buying from Chinese speculators.

From The Wall Street Journal

The historic gains attracted increasing numbers of speculators in recent months, and not just in gold.

From The Wall Street Journal

In China, where the metal is needed for solar-panel production and coveted by speculators, silver futures have risen to even higher levels, above $140 on Thursday.

From The Wall Street Journal

For months, a gravity-defying rally had pushed gold and silver prices to all-time highs, enticing speculators and sparking fears that investors the world over were losing faith in traditional currencies like the dollar.

From The Wall Street Journal