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

While many institutional investors continue to view gold as a hedge against interest-rate shifts, central-bank buying and global uncertainty, silver’s surge is increasingly seen as an industrial rally pushed higher largely by speculative positioning — not economic and other fundamental factors. —Alfred Cang, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026

In a Substack post Monday, Burry argued that the original cryptocurrency, which has fallen 40% since peaking in October, has been exposed as a purely speculative asset, failing to take off as a debasement hedge similar to precious metals. —Bloomberg, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026

State officials disputed that figure, calling it speculative. —Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026

Golf’s resurgence isn’t being carried by a single superstar or a speculative building boom. —Steve Skinner, Sportico.com, 31 Jan. 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