speculative
adj.adj. based on guessing or thinking about what might happen, rather than on facts you know for sure. It can also describe a business deal where you take a big risk to make money.
adj. involving or based on conjecture rather than established knowledge; in a financial context, refers to high-risk investments made in hope of significant gain.
The news report was purely speculative and had no proof.
Investors lost millions when the speculative bubble in the housing market finally burst.
While the scientist offered a speculative theory regarding the planet's atmosphere, she admitted that further data from the probe would be required for a definitive conclusion.
Inherited from Middle English speculatyf, borrowed from Old French speculatif or directly from Late Latin speculativus, from Latin speculor.
Often used to modify nouns like 'theory', 'investment', or 'fiction'.