speculative

[ spek-yuh-ley-tiv, -luh-tiv ]
/ ˈspɛk yəˌleɪ tɪv, -lə tɪv /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR speculative ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

pertaining to, of the nature of, or characterized by speculation, contemplation, conjecture, or abstract reasoning: a speculative approach.
theoretical, rather than practical: speculative conclusions.
given to speculation, as persons, the mind, etc.
of the nature of or involving commercial or financial speculation: speculative ventures.
engaging in or given to such speculation.

Origin of speculative

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word speculātīvus. See speculate, -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM speculative

Words nearby speculative

spectrum analysis, spectrum disorder, specular, speculate, speculation, speculative, speculative fiction, speculative philosophy, speculator, speculum, speculum forceps

Words related to speculative

unsubstantiated, dangerous, unproved, hypothetical, analytical, experimental, risky, unproven, abstract, assumed, dicey, hairy, hazardous, ideal, iffy, intellectual, logical, philosophical, uncertain, notional

Example sentences from the Web for speculative

British Dictionary definitions for speculative

speculative
/ (ˈspɛkjʊlətɪv) /

adjective

relating to or characterized by speculation, esp financial speculation

Derived forms of speculative

speculatively, adverb speculativeness, noun