speculation

American  

[spek-yuh-ley-shuhn] / ˌspɛk yəˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the contemplation or consideration of some subject.

   to engage in speculation on humanity's ultimate destiny.

2. a single instance or process of consideration.

3. a conclusion or opinion reached by such contemplation.

   These speculations are impossible to verify.

   Synonyms:

   hypothesis, theory, view, supposition

4. conjectural consideration of a matter; conjecture or surmise.

   a report based on speculation rather than facts.

5. 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.

6. a speculative commercial venture or undertaking.

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speculation British  

/ ˌspɛkjʊˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of speculating

2. a supposition, theory, or opinion arrived at through speculating

3. investment involving high risk but also the possibility of high profits

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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

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.

Example Sentences

But in Washington there has been growing speculation that Trump increasingly favors Rubio.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

There has been speculation of a challenge to his leadership should the results prove to be disastrous for the party.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

Additionally, their liquidity indicator just triggered a buy signal, and “liquidity drives speculation, and typically benefits tech + financials outperformance.”

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

As secretary, he now sits fourth in the line of presidential succession, and there is speculation that Trump may see him as a potential successor.

From Salon • May 5, 2026

Next to unconfirmed news of Dr. Kane, Americans read speculation of another kind.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

• belief
• conjecture
• opinion
• thought