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

Her work often blends documentary research with speculative fiction to explore technology, institutions, and cultural memory. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Many millennial and Gen Z collectors also view collector cars as speculative trades rather than long-term stores of value. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

Analyzing a potential legal challenge The prospect of a trans woman who is skilled enough at basketball to play in the WNBA and who seeks employment in the WNBA is uncertain and, for now, speculative. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2026

What This Means For Business Leaders First, stop treating hard tech as a distant or speculative category. — Cyrus Wadia, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 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