speculative
Americanadjective
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pertaining to, of the nature of, or characterized by speculation, contemplation, conjecture, or abstract reasoning.
a speculative approach.
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theoretical, rather than practical.
speculative conclusions.
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given to speculation, as persons, the mind, etc.
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of the nature of or involving commercial or financial speculation.
speculative ventures.
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engaging in or given to such speculation.
adjective
Other Word Forms
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antispeculativenessnoun
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hyperspeculativenessnoun
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nonspeculativenessnoun
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overspeculativenessnoun
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semispeculativenessnoun
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speculativenessnoun
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antispeculativeadjective
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hyperspeculativeadjective
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nonspeculativeadjective
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overspeculativeadjective
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semispeculativeadjective
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unspeculativeadjective
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antispeculativelyadverb
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hyperspeculativelyadverb
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nonspeculativelyadverb
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overspeculativelyadverb
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semispeculativelyadverb
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speculativelyadverb
Etymology
Origin of speculative
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word speculātīvus. See speculate, -ive
Explanation
Speculative describes very risky and unproven ideas or chances. You might have great ideas about starting your own business but your plans are speculative until you earn money from them. Speculative describes abstract ideas — usually with high risk — that often come with excitement and expectation too. A speculative investment could mean putting lots of cash into a business or real estate property hoping it will make money later. Anything speculative is based on prediction: whatever it is hasn't happened yet.
Vocabulary lists containing speculative
Grade 9, List 1
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"Macbeth" Vocabulary from Act V
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And Then There Were None
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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.
As Slate contributor Richard Hasen explained here, the truth is more complicated and far more speculative.
From Slate ● Aug. 26, 2026
LAUREL, Md. — Ralph Lorenz dreamed up the idea of flying a helicopter through Titan’s thick methane-laden atmosphere back in 2000 in a speculative research paper and a cover story for New Scientist magazine.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026
Loum Tchaouna: The winger provided some threat for Coventry on the wing and his speculative acrobatic effort in the first half had Raya panicking for a second.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
That was "the market firing a flare gun over China's next speculative frontier", said Stephen Innes, global strategist at Quintex Intel.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
Their eyes during these conversations look dewy, blurred, pulpy, easily hurt, like the eyes of blind baby kittens; but also sly and speculative, and filled with greed and deceit.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
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.
