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

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

Read more on Wall Street Journal

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

Read more on Wall Street Journal

"It's still very early on in their investigation and they've asked residents not to speculate to avoid misinformation spreading."

Read more on BBC

Fans had speculated that Taylor would perform at the event after the release of her new album, The Life of a Showgirl.

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Fans speculated that after she said “I do,” she would have children and move on from music — or so BBC host Scott Mills had informed his guest.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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