speculative

[spek-yuh-ley-tiv, -luh-tiv]

adjective

1. pertaining to, of the nature of, or characterized by speculation, contemplation, conjecture, or abstract reasoning.

   a speculative approach.

2. theoretical, rather than practical.

   speculative conclusions.

3. given to speculation, as persons, the mind, etc.

4. of the nature of or involving commercial or financial speculation.

   speculative ventures.

5. engaging in or given to such speculation.

ˈspeculative

/ ˈspɛkjʊlətɪv /

adjective

1. relating to or characterized by speculation, esp financial speculation

Other Word Forms

• speculatively adverb
• speculativeness noun
• antispeculative adjective
• antispeculatively adverb
• antispeculativeness noun
• hyperspeculative adjective
• hyperspeculatively adverb
• hyperspeculativeness noun
• nonspeculative adjective
• nonspeculatively adverb
• nonspeculativeness noun
• overspeculative adjective
• overspeculatively adverb
• overspeculativeness noun
• semispeculative adjective
• semispeculatively adverb
• semispeculativeness noun
• unspeculative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of speculative¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word speculātīvus. See speculate, -ive

Example Sentences

After India’s preliminary report was released, Yugandhar and Homendy both released statements in mid-July criticizing media coverage as premature and speculative before the Indians completed their investigation.

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“As these markets scale, lenders may face indirect exposure if borrowers use credit to fund speculative activity,” the analysts wrote, “reinforcing the behavioral risk theme already evident in sports betting.”

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Both are too speculative, and neither seems to outweigh the potential downsides to investors of less frequent reporting.

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But the markets fear a speculative bubble around the technology.

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By contrast, the factors in the bottom half of the chart can be characterized as high-octane factors, such as price momentum, speculative growth, high-beta, IPOs and large-cap growth.

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Related Words

• analytical 
• dangerous 
• experimental 
• hypothetical 
• risky 
• unproved 
• unproven 
• unsubstantiated