Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
speculative - 5 dictionary results

spec⋅u⋅la⋅tive

  [spek-yuh-ley-tiv, -luh-tiv]
Use speculative in a Sentence
–adjective
1. pertaining to, of the nature of, or characterized by speculation, contemplation, conjecture, or abstract reasoning: a speculative approach.
2. theoretical, rather than practical: speculative conclusions.
3. given to speculation, as persons, the mind, etc.
4. of the nature of or involving commercial or financial speculation: speculative ventures.
5. engaging in or given to such speculation.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < LL speculātīvus. See speculate, -ive

Related forms:
spec⋅u⋅la⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
spec⋅u⋅la⋅tive⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To speculative
spec·u·la·tive   (spěk'yə-lə-tĭv, -lā'-)   
adj.  
  1. Of, characterized by, or based upon contemplative speculation. See Synonyms at theoretical.
    1. Given to conjecture or speculation.
    2. Marked by inquisitive interest: raised a speculative eyebrow.
    3. Engaging in, given to, or involving financial speculation: speculative brokers; speculative stocks.
    4. Spent in speculation: speculative funds.
    5. Involving chance; risky: speculative business enterprises.
    1. Engaging in, given to, or involving financial speculation: speculative brokers; speculative stocks.
    2. Spent in speculation: speculative funds.
    3. Involving chance; risky: speculative business enterprises.
spec'u·la·tive·ly adv., spec'u·la·tive·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Speculative

Spec"u*la*tive\, a. [Cf. F. sp['e]culatif, L. speculativus.]

1. Given to speculation; contemplative.

The mind of man being by nature speculative. --Hooker.

2. Involving, or formed by, speculation; ideal; theoretical; not established by demonstration. --Cudworth.

3. Of or pertaining to vision; also, prying; inquisitive; curious. [R.] --Bacon.

4. Of or pertaining to speculation in land, goods, shares, etc.; as, a speculative dealer or enterprise.

The speculative merchant exercises no one regular, established, or well-known branch of business. --A. Smith. -- Spec"u*la*tive*ly, adv. -- Spec"u*la*tive*ness, n.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source

speculative

Of or relating to an asset or a group of assets with uncertain returns. The greater the degree of uncertainty the more speculative the asset.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source

Main Entry: spec·u·la·tive
Pronunciation: 'spe-ky&-l&-tiv, -"lA-
Function: adjective
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> —spec·u·la·tive·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see speculative on Thesaurus | Reference