on spec
idiom
1
: without having a definite buyer or customer but with the hope or expectation of finding one when work is completed
He built the house on spec.
She wrote the script on spec.
2
chiefly British
: without being sure of success but with the hope of success
He wrote to the company on spec, hoping for a job.
Examples of on spec in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nestled amid a secluded cul-de-sac, on over an acre of land overlooking the Getty Museum, the modern structure known as The Oasis was built on spec by veteran developer Ramtin Ray Nosrati and features seven bedrooms and 11 baths sprawled across almost 17,000 square feet of three-story living space.
—
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2024
Apple is also rumored to be working on spec bumps for its MacBook Pro and Mac Mini, which are both likely to be upgraded with the M4 chip sometime this fall.
—Chris Welch, The Verge, 1 Aug. 2024
But unlike the tsunami of activity junior bankers handled during the pandemic, the recent sense in the lower rungs is that much of the work is on spec, as bosses try to position their firms for an upswing, especially once interest rates fall.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 28 June 2024
Anne Sundell wrote the script on spec from an original idea and developed alongside Richanbach.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for on spec 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2024
Apple is also rumored to be working on spec bumps for its MacBook Pro and Mac Mini, which are both likely to be upgraded with the M4 chip sometime this fall.
—Chris Welch, The Verge, 1 Aug. 2024
But unlike the tsunami of activity junior bankers handled during the pandemic, the recent sense in the lower rungs is that much of the work is on spec, as bosses try to position their firms for an upswing, especially once interest rates fall.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 28 June 2024
Anne Sundell wrote the script on spec from an original idea and developed alongside Richanbach.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for on spec
Dictionary Entries Near on spec
Cite this Entry
“On spec.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20spec. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share