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 speculated it would have been used because it would act as a strong deterrent.

Read more on BBC

The Minnesota resident preferred not to speculate about whether Mangione had committed a crime and noted that, under the law, he is innocent until proven guilty.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When these results are combined with fossilized footprints, the overall appearance of this duck-billed dinosaur, long speculated about but never documented with this level of precision, becomes much clearer.

Read more on Science Daily

She said she stresses the difference between investing and speculating, and teaches her classes how to spot scams.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Simon Trott, who took charge of Rio Tinto in August, has promised changes that analysts speculate could include asset sales, cost cuts and slower developments.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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