tentatively
Americanadverb
-
as a trial, experiment, or attempt.
Our next meeting is tentatively scheduled for the 8th of June.
-
in a hesitant or uncertain manner.
She spoke tentatively, but apparently thought better of it and stopped.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of tentatively
Explanation
Tentatively means "hesitantly," like how you go about a delicate or dangerous situation. It also refers to uncertainty, like when you tentatively make plans to go to a party, even though you don't have a ride yet. It makes sense that the English adverb tentatively stems from the Latin tentare, "to feel, try," because to do something tentatively means to test it out. Think of how you slowly wade into a freezing cold pool. You’re moving tentatively, because you know it’s going to be a shock and you want to give your body time to adjust. The opposite of tentatively is certainly, a word that indicates no hesitation.
Vocabulary lists containing tentatively
The Giver
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The Diary of Anne Frank
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A Raisin in the Sun
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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.
—Bitcoin recovered tentatively after hitting a 20-month low on Friday below the key $60,000 level.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
Among them, a handful of players—D-Wave included—have tentatively agreed to give the government an ownership stake in their businesses.
From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026
The film’s stars, Jackie Chan, 72, and Chris Tucker, 54, are reportedly in negotiations to reprise their roles in the new film, which is tentatively scheduled to be released in 2028.
From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026
"I observed what appeared to be a fairly bright light source which we tentatively ascribed to a possible laser," he said.
From BBC • May 8, 2026
She nibbled the pastry as tentatively as a deer.
From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri
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.
