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

• theoretic
• hypothetical
• theoretical

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

These concerns stem from high levels of speculative investment—totaling hundreds of billions of dollars—in artificial intelligence with few manifest payoffs, as well as the market’s top-heavy structure, with significant value concentrated in a handful of AI-bullish tech stocks. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025

Monday is a particularly active day for what Cramer sees as the speculative corner of the market. —Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025

Although in-hand images of the upcoming reissue aren’t yet available, a speculative mock-up depicts a colorway which matches that of the ’02 original but features a shiny patent leather finish. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2025

No speculative or half-built megaprojects and planned expansions. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025

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