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.
But unlike other speculative AI chip plays, investors aren’t placing a crazy bet that it will be.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told state TV that reports of an agreement were "speculative" and "nothing has been finalised".
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026
More recently, the speculative focus has moved toward chip stocks.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026
South Korean officials said over the weekend that they stood ready to intervene to curb excessive volatility and speculative trading.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
He led the way into the line, still not speaking, though his eyes returned to my face every few seconds, their expression speculative.
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
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.
