speculative

C1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈspɛkjuləˌtɪv/ See IPA manual

Freq #33281

Meanings

1

adj
Based on guessing rather than firm knowledge or evidence.

For now, any explanation of the crash is purely speculative.
2

adj
Involving the risk of large losses or profits.

He made a speculative investment in an unproven company.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · based on guessing rather... notional

2 adj · involving the risk of large... high-riskrisky

Word family

Forms speculativeness

Derived forms antispeculativehyperspeculativenonspeculativeoverspeculativespeculativelyspeculativenessspeculativismunspeculative

Related forms conjectural speculate speculationspeculativity

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

speculative knowledge
supposed understanding based on conjecture rather than verified facts

Adjective + noun

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English speculatyf, borrowed from Old French speculatif or directly from Late Latin speculativus, from Latin speculor.

speculatyf Middle English speculatif Old French speculativus la-lat speculor Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# speculative

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈspɛkjuləˌtɪv/
**Frequency rank:** 33281

## Meanings
1. Based on guessing rather than firm knowledge or evidence.
2. Involving the risk of large losses or profits.

## Examples
- For now, any explanation of the crash is purely speculative.
- He made a speculative investment in an unproven company.

## Derived Forms
- antispeculative
- hyperspeculative
- nonspeculative
- overspeculative
- speculatively
- speculativeness
- speculativism
- unspeculative

## Related Forms
- conjectural
- speculate
- speculation
- speculativity

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: speculatyf
- Root: speculatif
- Root: speculativus
- Root: speculor

## Etymology
Inherited from Middle English speculatyf, borrowed from Old French speculatif or directly from Late Latin speculativus, from Latin speculor.

## AI Etymology
Speculative is inherited from Middle English speculatyf, borrowed from Old French speculatif or directly from Late Latin speculativus, from Latin speculor. Important historical forms include Middle English speculatyf, Old French speculatif, Late Latin speculativus, and Latin speculor. In present-day use, it can mean based on guessing rather than firm knowledge or evidence, or involving the risk of large losses or profits. Derived formations include antispeculative, hyperspeculative, nonspeculative, overspeculative, speculatively.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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