speculation

[ spek-yuh-ley-shuhn ]
See synonyms for speculation on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the contemplation or consideration of some subject: to engage in speculation on humanity's ultimate destiny.

  2. a single instance or process of consideration.

  1. a conclusion or opinion reached by such contemplation: These speculations are impossible to verify.

  2. conjectural consideration of a matter; conjecture or surmise: a report based on speculation rather than facts.

  3. engagement in business transactions involving considerable risk but offering the chance of large gains, especially trading in commodities, stocks, etc., in the hope of profit from changes in the market price.

  4. a speculative commercial venture or undertaking.

Origin of speculation

1
1325–75; Middle English speculacioun<Late Latin speculātiōn- (stem of speculātiō) exploration, observation. See speculate, -ion

Other words for speculation

Other words from speculation

  • an·ti·spec·u·la·tion, noun, adjective
  • non·spec·u·la·tion, noun
  • o·ver·spec·u·la·tion, noun
  • pre·spec·u·la·tion, noun
  • sem·i·spec·u·la·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use speculation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for speculation

speculation

/ (ˌspɛkjʊˈleɪʃən) /


noun
  1. the act or an instance of speculating

  2. a supposition, theory, or opinion arrived at through speculating

  1. investment involving high risk but also the possibility of high profits

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012