Speculate
To form a theory or conjecture about something without sufficient evidence; to engage in a venture or investment based on conjecture rather than certainty.
verbSpeculate
To form a theory or conjecture about something without sufficient evidence; to engage in a venture or investment based on conjecture rather than certainty.
verbImagine This
Picture a detective at a cluttered desk, cataloging clues and quietly imagining several possible explanations for the mystery, each more speculative than the last.
Sounds Like
SPEK-yuh-layt
Looks Like
spec-ulate; starts with spec- (look) as in spectator, inspect
Remember This
Speculation often involves risk, especially in finance where people try to profit from uncertain outcomes. The noun form is speculation; the adjective form is speculative.
Other Forms
Connect With
theorize, conjecture, hypothesize, guess; speculation, financial speculation
Note
Use 'speculate that' to introduce a claim you believe might be true but cannot prove. Both 'speculate about' and 'speculate on' are common. Distinguish from 'investigate' (systematic study) and 'verify' (confirm with evidence).