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

The incident has been subject of speculation in the Spanish media since March last year when the local judge overseeing the investigation reopened the probe to give police more time to gather evidence.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

As the world’s most important semiconductor hub, the threat of invasion or even just speculation about it would be extremely disruptive for markets.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

“Spider-Man” actor Holland, meanwhile, brushed off the speculation last year, saying “We’ll get there one day.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Huang's presence was particularly notable given he was not on the original delegation list, fuelling speculation that AI and chip access may feature more centrally in discussions than previously expected.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

There was speculation that Burkhart would defect again and return to the fold of his uncle, but this time Burkhart answered the prosecution’s questions forthrightly.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Related Words

• belief
• conjecture
• opinion
• thought