speculative
Americanadjective
-
pertaining to, of the nature of, or characterized by speculation, contemplation, conjecture, or abstract reasoning.
a speculative approach.
-
theoretical, rather than practical.
speculative conclusions.
-
given to speculation, as persons, the mind, etc.
-
of the nature of or involving commercial or financial speculation.
speculative ventures.
-
engaging in or given to such speculation.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- 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
- speculatively adverb
- speculativeness noun
- unspeculative adjective
Etymology
Origin of speculative
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word speculātīvus. See speculate, -ive
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.
A weak dollar can also lead to speculative bubbles in oil and other commodities.
Its report said displacement of just 10 percent of Iran's population would rival the largest refugee flows of recent decades, albeit cautioning that the scenario remained "highly speculative".
From Barron's
What makes them even murkier is the speculative nature of fusion as an electrical power source.
From Los Angeles Times
“When geopolitical tensions spike, some risk-averse investors feel a reflex to act immediately,” even on purchases that might be unaffordable or speculative investments, said Ulin.
From MarketWatch
It suggests that ownership of gold remains institutional and measured — not panicked and speculative.
From MarketWatch
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.
