speculation
Americannoun
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the contemplation or consideration of some subject.
to engage in speculation on humanity's ultimate destiny.
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a single instance or process of consideration.
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a conclusion or opinion reached by such contemplation.
These speculations are impossible to verify.
- Synonyms:
- hypothesis, theory, view, supposition
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conjectural consideration of a matter; conjecture or surmise.
a report based on speculation rather than facts.
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engagement in business transactions involving considerable risk but offering the chance of large gains, especially trading in commodities, stocks, etc., in the hope of profit from changes in the market price.
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a speculative commercial venture or undertaking.
noun
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the act or an instance of speculating
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a supposition, theory, or opinion arrived at through speculating
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investment involving high risk but also the possibility of high profits
Other Word Forms
- antispeculation noun
- nonspeculation noun
- overspeculation noun
- prespeculation noun
- semispeculation noun
Etymology
Origin of speculation
1325–75; Middle English speculacioun < Late Latin speculātiōn- (stem of speculātiō ) exploration, observation. See speculate, -ion
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.
Musk has said he thinks his companies are converging, but he hasn’t commented on speculation of a merger.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
Defining the line between productive uses of capital and mere speculation is a never-ending battle.
From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026
There's been some relief in the rupee's slide after the central bank intervened to curb speculation, but that is likely to be temporary.
From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026
The good feelings have set off a boomlet of speculation that Rubio might mount another bid for president in 2028.
From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026
There was speculation among my older brothers about whether he would be dosed with cod-liver oil.
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
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.
