What does "speculative" mean?

1. (based on guessing) based on guessing or theories rather than on facts that you can prove. 2. (risky business or investment) done in the hope of making a large profit but with a high risk of losing money.

How do you use "speculative"?

Often used to describe theories, news reports, or conclusions that lack evidence. Commonly modifies nouns like 'investment', 'bubble', 'venture', or 'trade'.

speculative

adj.

US //ˈspɛkjəɫətɪv// UK //spˈɛkjʊlətˌɪv// spec·u·la·tive

1 based on guessing (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

based on guessing or theories rather than on facts that you can prove.

involving or based on conjecture rather than established facts or firm evidence.

Example

The news report was purely speculative because the police had not released any details yet.

Example

The scientist admitted that her conclusions were largely speculative, as the current data set was too small to support a definitive theory.

Usage

Often used to describe theories, news reports, or conclusions that lack evidence.
- theoretical
- conjectural
- hypothetical
2 risky business or investment (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal

done in the hope of making a large profit but with a high risk of losing money.

pertaining to financial or commercial ventures involving high risk and the potential for significant fluctuation in value.

Example

He lost a lot of money on speculative investments in the tech market.

Example

The sudden collapse of the speculative housing bubble left many first-time buyers with properties worth less than their original loans.

Usage

Commonly modifies nouns like 'investment', 'bubble', 'venture', or 'trade'.

Origin

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