speculative Definition
- 1engaged in, expressing, or based on conjecture rather than knowledge
- 2investing in stocks, property, or other ventures in the hope of gain but with the risk of loss
Using speculative: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "speculative" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The article was full of speculative claims about the company's future plans.
Example
The investment was highly speculative and carried a significant risk of loss.
Example
The book presents a speculative theory about the origins of the universe.
speculative Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for speculative
Phrases with speculative
a genre of fiction that encompasses works in which the setting is other than the real world, involving supernatural, futuristic, or other imagined elements
Example
Her favorite genre is speculative fiction, especially stories set in dystopian societies.
an economic cycle characterized by rapid expansion followed by a contraction, caused by the speculation in an asset or market
Example
The dot-com bubble of the late 1990s was a classic example of a speculative bubble.
a branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of reality and knowledge, often involving abstract or theoretical concepts
Example
Speculative philosophy has been a subject of debate among scholars for centuries.
Origins of speculative
from Latin 'speculatus', past participle of 'speculari', meaning 'to spy out'
Summary: speculative in Brief
The term 'speculative' [ˈspɛkjʊlətɪv] refers to something that is based on conjecture rather than knowledge, or investing in ventures with the hope of gain but with the risk of loss. It can describe theories, investments, or claims, as in 'The article was full of speculative claims about the company's future plans.' 'Speculative' also extends into phrases like 'speculative fiction,' referring to a genre of fiction that involves supernatural or futuristic elements, and 'speculative bubble,' describing an economic cycle characterized by rapid expansion followed by a contraction.
