speculative

adjective

spec·​u·​la·​tive ˈspe-kyə-lə-tiv 

-ˌlā-

1

: involving, based on, or constituting intellectual speculation

also : theoretical rather than demonstrable

speculative knowledge

2

: marked by questioning curiosity

gave him a speculative glance

3

: of, relating to, or being a financial speculation

speculative stocks

speculative venture

speculatively adverb

Synonyms

• academic
• academical
• conjectural
• hypothetical
• suppositional
• theoretical
• theoretic

Examples of speculative in a Sentence

His conclusions are highly speculative.

a writer with a speculative mind

a speculative boom in housing construction

Recent Examples on the Web

TikTok has consistently denied any improper data sharing or content manipulation, arguing that the law's premise is based on speculative, future risks rather than any substantiated wrongdoing. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

He's poured $375 million into Helion Energy, which is a speculative nuclear fusion company. —Lauren Goode, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024

But none of us are going to notice because the hour spent on his speculative, facial tics. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024

The New Landscape The 2024 crypto renaissance marks a pivotal shift as cryptocurrency evolves from a speculative asset to a cornerstone of modern finance. —Roomy Khan, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing speculative

• anti-speculative

Kids Definition

speculative

adjective

spec·​u·​la·​tive ˈspek-yə-lət-iv 

-ˌlāt-

1

a

: of or relating to mental speculation

speculative knowledge

b

: curious sense 1

a speculative glance

2

: of or relating to financial speculation

speculatively adverb

Legal Definition

speculative

adjective

spec·​u·​la·​tive ˈspe-kyə-lə-tiv, -ˌlā- 

1

: involving, based on, or constituting intellectual speculation

also : theoretical rather than demonstrable

speculative medical testimony concerning the cause of death

2

: of, relating to, or being a financial speculation

speculative securities

speculative home building

speculatively adverb