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

• academic
• academical
• conjectural
• hypothetical
• suppositional
• theoretical
• theoretic

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

Unlike the speculative crypto cycles of previous years, RWA tokens offer something fundamentally different: real yield backed by real assets. —Anastasia Chernikova, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

The official exchange rate stood at 105 bolívars per U.S. dollar in May, while the parallel market rate surged to 139, widening the gap and inviting new speculative pressure. —Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025

An unusual mix of speculative sci-fi imagination and intimate family sentiment, the film is vying for top honors in the Shanghai International Film Festival‘s main competition this week. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025

The dinner, according to Brown, will begin with traditional African staples and move through the historical journey of Black food in America—from enslavement to Emancipation, the Harlem Renaissance, and a speculative future. —Okla Jones, Essence, 11 June 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