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

With two more elections going against the CDU, and Merz’s popularity plunging, that assessment seems less speculative. — Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

Indeed, few have lamented the exit of speculative collectors hoping to make a quick buck flipping artworks. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Most people encounter crypto as a high-tech, speculative asset class. — Wade Preston, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026

The primary barrier has been the cumulative friction of subpar user experiences, misdirected marketing and an obsession with speculative trading over personal finance. — Jeff Mahony, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English speculatif, borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin speculātīvus, from Latin speculātus, past participle of speculārī "to keep a close watch on, observe" (Late Latin, "to envision, contemplate") + -īvus -ive — more at speculate

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