speculate
[spek-yuh-leyt]
- to engage in thought or reflection; meditate (often followed by on, upon, or a clause).
- to indulge in conjectural thought.
- 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.
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Origin of speculate
1590–1600; < Latin speculātus, past participle of speculārī to watch over, explore, reconnoiter, derivative of specula watch tower, noun derivative of specere to look, regard; see -ate1
Synonyms
See more synonyms for speculate on Thesaurus.com1. think, reflect, cogitate. 2. conjecture, guess, surmise, suppose, theorize.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for speculating
Contemporary Examples
When Smith was asked how he could diagnose Obama, he admitted he is not a psychologist and was just speculating.
We tend to daydream all the time, speculating about the future and dwelling on the past.
But since when has that stopped anyone from speculating about True Detective?
They also try to predict guest behavior, speculating where participants could wander and any potential dangers they may face.
A Most Illegal Adventure with New York City’s Wildest Underground Event PlannersNina Strochlic
December 16, 2013
So few will risk reputation or promotion by speculating beyond the facts that SPSS will whisper.
Historical Examples
She felt that she had somehow blundered, and her busy mind was speculating as to how.
The Law-BreakersRidgwell Cullum
She was speculating as to what might happen with Fyles stationed here in Rocky Springs.
The Law-BreakersRidgwell Cullum
His mother simply accused him of not speculating on the political situation.
The Fortune of the RougonsEmile Zola
He was speculating in his mind as to the risk he was running.
The Night RidersRidgwell Cullum
Needless to say Jed Winslow did no speculating concerning his tenant's "past."
ShavingsJoseph C. Lincoln
speculate
- (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) NZ rugby to make an emergency forward kick of the ball without taking any particular aim
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Word Origin
C16: from Latin speculārī to spy out, from specula a watchtower, from specere to look at
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for speculating
speculate
v.
1590s, back-formation from speculation. Related: Speculated; speculating.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper