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speculativebased on conjecture rather than knowledge; engaged in speculation

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: based on conjecture rather than knowledge; engaged in speculation

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈspɛkjəˌleɪtɪv/

Example Sentences

  • Investing in cryptocurrency is highly speculative - like playing poker with invisible cards.
  • The article was full of speculative claims without any evidence.
  • His speculative philosophy about time travel impressed nobody except his cat.

speculative

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈspɛkjəˌleɪtɪv/]

based on conjecture rather than knowledge; engaged in speculation

Investors make speculative bets on a risky new mining stock, hoping it strikes gold.
💡 Concept

Investors make speculative bets on a risky new mining stock, hoping it strikes gold.

SPEC(look) + UL + ATIVE(having the nature of) — speculative describes something based on trying to see what is still unknown.
🧠 Mnemonic

SPEC(look) + UL + ATIVE(having the nature of) — speculative describes something based on trying to see what is still unknown.

The calculative boss became manipulative before making a speculative investment with all his money.
🎵 Rhyme

The calculative boss became manipulative before making a speculative investment with all his money.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈspɛkjəˌleɪtɪv/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈspɛkjʊlətɪv/

🌳Etymology

Rootspecul-
Suffix--ative

Origin

From Latin 'speculativus', derived from 'speculari' meaning 'to observe or watch', which comes from 'specula' meaning 'watchtower'. The word entered English through Old French and Medieval Latin.

Breakdown

specul- (from Latin specula, watchtower/observe) + -ate (verb suffix) + -ive (adjective suffix) = speculative

🎵Rhyme

ulativeulativeregulative
ulative
ulative
regulative

🔗Collocations

speculative investment
speculative fiction
speculative bubble
purely speculative
speculative attack

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

Investing in cryptocurrency is highly speculative - like playing poker with invisible cards.

The article was full of speculative claims without any evidence.

😄 Fun example

His speculative philosophy about time travel impressed nobody except his cat.

The real estate market showed signs of speculative overheating.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

hypotheticaltheoreticalconjecturalriskyuncertain

Antonyms

certainfactualproven

Related

speculationspeculatespeculatorconjecture

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