speculate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to engage in thought or reflection; meditate (often followed by on, upon, or a clause).
-
to indulge in conjectural thought.
- Synonyms:
- theorize, suppose, surmise, guess, conjecture
-
to engage in any business transaction involving considerable risk or the chance of large gains, especially to buy and sell commodities, stocks, etc., in the expectation of a quick or very large profit.
verb
-
(when tr, takes a clause as object) to conjecture without knowing the complete facts
-
(intr) to buy or sell securities, property, etc, in the hope of deriving capital gains
-
(intr) to risk loss for the possibility of considerable gain
-
(intr) rugby to make an emergency forward kick of the ball without taking any particular aim
Other Word Forms
- overspeculate verb (used without object)
- prespeculate verb (used without object)
- unspeculating adjective
Etymology
Origin of speculate
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin speculātus “watched over,” past participle of speculārī “to watch over, explore, reconnoiter,” verb derivative of specula “watchtower,” noun derivative of specere “to look, regard, see”
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.
U-Haul didn’t speculate on the reasons California continues to top the ranking.
From Los Angeles Times
A number of experts have speculated on the reasons for the sector rotation to healthcare but haven’t come up with a definitive answer.
From Barron's
The speed, and apparent ease, with which Maduro was removed and Rodríguez installed led some observers to speculate that the former vice president might have been in on the plan.
From BBC
However, some viewers have speculated on social media that Hugo's surprise banishment might have prompted the the secret traitor's identity to be revealed earlier than expected.
From BBC
Avon and Somerset Police said it had referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and could not speculate on the watchdog's investigation.
From BBC
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.
