speculate

[ˈspɛkjʊleɪt]

speculate Definition

• 1. to form an opinion or theory about something without firm evidence
• 2. to buy goods, property, or shares hoping to sell them later at a higher price

Using speculate: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "speculate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  I can only speculate about what happened.

• Example

  The newspapers speculated about the reasons for his resignation.

• Example

  He speculated in property and made a fortune.

• Example

  The company has been speculating on the stock market.

speculate Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for speculate

• conjecture
• guess
• surmise
• assume
• presume

Antonyms for speculate

• confirm
• prove
• verify

Phrases with speculate

• speculate on

  to consider or discuss the possible effects or results of something

  Example

  We can only speculate on the outcome of the negotiations.

• speculate about

  to form opinions or theories about something without having all the facts

  Example

  The press is speculating about the reasons for the CEO's sudden departure.

• speculative investment

  an investment that involves a high degree of risk, often with the possibility of large profits or losses

  Example

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

Origins of speculate

from Latin 'speculatus', meaning 'observed'

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Summary: speculate in Brief

To 'speculate' [ˈspɛkjʊleɪt] is to form an opinion or theory without firm evidence, or to buy goods or shares hoping to sell them later at a higher price. Examples include 'The newspapers speculated about the reasons for his resignation,' and 'He speculated in property and made a fortune.' The phrase 'speculate on' refers to considering or discussing the possible effects or results of something, while 'speculate about' means forming opinions or theories without having all the facts.