tentative

[ten-tuh-tiv]

adjective

1. of the nature of or made or done as a trial, experiment, or attempt; experimental.

   a tentative report on her findings.

2. unsure; uncertain; not definite or positive; hesitant.

   a tentative smile on his face.

tentative

/ ˈtɛntətɪv /

adjective

1. provisional or experimental; conjectural

2. hesitant, uncertain, or cautious

Other Word Forms

• tentatively adverb
• tentativeness noun
• nontentative adjective
• nontentativeness noun
• pretentative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tentative¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Medieval Latin tentātīvus, equivalent to Latin tentāt(us) (past participle of tentāre, variant of temptāre “to test”; tempt ) + -īvus adjective suffix ( -ive )

Word History and Origins

Origin of tentative¹

C16: from Medieval Latin tentātīvus, from Latin tentāre to test

Example Sentences

Hundreds of people waited, sitting on black metal folding chairs or standing in groups, hoping for an email or phone call telling them they’d received a tentative offer.

From Los Angeles Times

With a digital key card for Chuck’s Arcade starting at $10, the buy-in to try out the space isn’t large, but this felt like a tentative step into adulthood.

From Los Angeles Times

The brief strike wreaked havoc during the peak summer travel season, but flights resumed after both sides agreed to a tentative deal on Tuesday.

From BBC

A tentative agreement was announced by the union representing flight attendants and confirmed by the airline, which said flights will resume later on Tuesday.

From BBC

Under the tentative plans, Issa, who has served in Congress for more than two decades, would see his safely Republican district become purple.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cautious 
• hesitant 
• reluctant 
• timid 
• unsure 
• wobbly