speculation
Americannoun
-
speculations
plural
-
the contemplation or consideration of some subject.
to engage in speculation on humanity's ultimate destiny.
-
a single instance or process of consideration.
-
a conclusion or opinion reached by such contemplation.
These speculations are impossible to verify.
- Synonyms:
- hypothesis, theory, view, supposition
-
conjectural consideration of a matter; conjecture or surmise.
a report based on speculation rather than facts.
-
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.
-
a speculative commercial venture or undertaking.
noun
-
the act or an instance of speculating
-
a supposition, theory, or opinion arrived at through speculating
-
investment involving high risk but also the possibility of high profits
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
antispeculationnoun
-
nonspeculationnoun
-
overspeculationnoun
-
prespeculationnoun
-
semispeculationnoun
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of speculation
1325–75; Middle English speculacioun < Late Latin speculātiōn- (stem of speculātiō ) exploration, observation. See speculate, -ion
Explanation
When you guess about how something is going to come out (or how it happened), that's speculation. You're making an educated guess. When people predict who will win a football game, an Oscar, or an election, it's speculation: people are looking at the facts and making their best guess. Just about anything you say about the future is speculation, because no one knows what will happen. The word is used in the stock market for such financial dealings as "buying on spec," a risky way to make money. Sometimes, this word means something close to meditation — pondering something deeply.
Vocabulary lists containing speculation
The Things They Carried
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
American History II
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
100 SAT words Beginning with "S"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
“Out of respect for her loved ones, the speculation and sensationalism of her death needs to end until the facts can be released from the investigation.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026
Polls suggest Ossoff will easily win his Senate race this fall, which has stoked speculation that he may run for president in 2028.
From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026
“Bessent has opened the door to a lot of speculation about what authorities might have up their sleeves.”
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
He’s been silent amid rampant speculation that Mr. Walter will also sell the Dodgers as the team steamrolls to a possible third consecutive World Series triumph.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
The speculation has been rife, fingers pointed at the police, at Kamal Abdic, at Scott.
From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins
"Around big players there are always speculations so I am not worried about that," he said.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
“Engaging in constructive industry dialogue is part of how we operate, but we do not comment on rumors or speculations regarding potential partnerships.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026
Radev has fuelled speculations he may take part in the elections, calling for them to be "free and fair".
From Barron's ● Jan. 16, 2026
The quickened pace of U.S. airstrikes in the region and the unusually large buildup of military force in the Caribbean Sea have fueled those speculations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2025
She tracked the regulars on their daily transits through the park, assembling notes and speculations like the compilers of her almanacs.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
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.
