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

The court agreed with the IRS that the deduction was based on a speculative valuation of the property's potential as a limestone quarry. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Massachusetts is acting to protect our fans by capping resale at 110%, banning speculative tickets and cracking down on deceptive websites. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026

Those positions appeared more consistent with Buffett's traditional preference for mature cash-generating businesses than speculative biotechnology ventures, and most were later reduced or eliminated. — Steve Brozak, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

On Sweet Thief, Luluc seems to beam their dream-folk transmissions to us from this speculative demi-world, each song compressed yet complete, rescaling our perspective to a bright point. — Brian Howe, Pitchfork, 21 July 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