speculate

[spek-yuh-leyt]

verb (used without object)

speculated, speculating 

1. to engage in thought or reflection; meditate (often followed by on, upon, or a clause).

   Synonyms: cogitate, reflect, think

2. to indulge in conjectural thought.

   Synonyms: theorize, suppose, surmise, guess, conjecture

3. 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.

speculate

/ ˈspɛkjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. (when tr, takes a clause as object) to conjecture without knowing the complete facts

2. (intr) to buy or sell securities, property, etc, in the hope of deriving capital gains

3. (intr) to risk loss for the possibility of considerable gain

4. (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

Word History and Origins

Origin of speculate¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of speculate¹

C16: from Latin speculārī to spy out, from specula a watchtower, from specere to look at

Example Sentences

“If somebody wants to speculate, we want to ensure the totality of what we manage can still achieve your financial goals,” he said.

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“If somebody wants to speculate, we want to ensure the totality of what we manage can still achieve your financial goals,” Hadad told MarketWatch.

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Some analysts have speculated that the U.S. may require the Argentine peso to float freely as a condition of the rescue, but Bessent said Thursday that wouldn’t be the case.

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He and about 20 friends sat in Tugboat’s speculating about its new home.

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Futures are commonly used to speculate on the direction of prices.

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Related Words

• contemplate 
• figure out 
• guess 
• hypothesize 
• read 
• reflect 
• ruminate 
• surmise 
• weigh 
• wonder