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.

---

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

---

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 for grieving relatives, all the wild speculation is "disgusting".

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Iger’s next move has been the subject of much speculation in Hollywood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

T-Mobile told Barron’s in an email that “As per our usual practice, T-Mobile and DT do not comment on speculation regarding our corporate activity, nor are there specifics to share.”

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

An RIA may make options trades, but they typically do so in a measured and strategic way, rather than aggressive — or even reckless — speculation.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

The cause is yet unknown, but there is speculation linking it to pesticides, fungicides, mites, and parasites.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

Related Words

• belief
• conjecture
• opinion
• thought