speculative

adjective

spec·​u·​la·​tive ˈspe-kyə-lə-tiv 

-ˌlā-

1

: involving, based on, or constituting intellectual speculation

also : theoretical rather than demonstrable

speculative knowledge

2

: marked by questioning curiosity

gave him a speculative glance

3

: of, relating to, or being a financial speculation

speculative stocks

speculative venture

speculatively adverb

Synonyms of speculative

• hypothetical
• theoretical
• conjectural

Examples of speculative in a Sentence

His conclusions are highly speculative.

a writer with a speculative mind

a speculative boom in housing construction

Recent Examples on the Web

Not long before that passage of play, Liverpool did advance the ball to the edge of the Wolves box, but Milos Kerkez opted against crossing and instead the move fizzled out with Dominik Szoboszlai attempting a speculative shot from more than 30 yards out. —Andy Jones, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026

Beneath the indexes, Cramer said some stocks traded Wednesday as if the war will wind down faster than expected, pointing to more speculative names. —Paulina Likos, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026

This volatile asset class comprises a substantial portion of the company’s financial assets, introducing significant speculative risk. —Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026

The forces pushing gold prices higher aren't random or speculative, either. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing speculative

• anti-speculative

Kids Definition

speculative

adjective

spec·​u·​la·​tive ˈspek-yə-lət-iv 

-ˌlāt-

1

a

: of or relating to mental speculation

speculative knowledge

b

: curious sense 1

a speculative glance

2

: of or relating to financial speculation

speculatively adverb

Legal Definition

speculative

adjective

spec·​u·​la·​tive ˈspe-kyə-lə-tiv, -ˌlā- 

1

: involving, based on, or constituting intellectual speculation

also : theoretical rather than demonstrable

speculative medical testimony concerning the cause of death

2

: of, relating to, or being a financial speculation

speculative securities

speculative home building

speculatively adverb