speculation

American  

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

noun

speculations plural

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

Derived Forms

• antispeculation
  noun
• nonspeculation
  noun
• overspeculation
  noun
• prespeculation
  noun
• semispeculation
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• speculations
  plural

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

Some analysts have pinned the severity of declines by the Kospi on rampant speculation from individuals and traders using borrowed money to turbocharge bets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026

Wilde’s follow-up, the 2022 psychodrama “Don’t Worry Darling,” became mired in behind-the-scenes gossip and tabloid speculation that overshadowed what was intended as a stylized portrait of female rage and discontent.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026

A Netflix spokesperson said the reports were nothing more than rumor and speculation, and that the company had not made a bid for Roku or engaged in discussions to acquire Lionsgate.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 24, 2026

Quebec Premier Christine Frechette said she was "deeply shaken by the tragic events," while urging people to "avoid speculation," about what transpired.

From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026

There was widespread speculation that either Woolf or Buddy Haas, Kayak’s jockey, would be signed on to ride Seabiscuit in the big race.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• belief
• conjecture
• opinion
• thought