Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of forming opinions or theories about something without having complete or certain evidence: Speculation refers to the process of thinking about or discussing a subject without having all the facts, often involving guesswork.
   • An investment involving high risk in the hope of large profits: In finance, speculation is the practice of engaging in risky financial transactions with the primary goal of profiting from short-term fluctuations in market value.
   • Continuous and profound contemplation on a deep or complex subject: A more formal or literary use, referring to deep, abstract thought or meditation.

Examples of Usage

• As an opinion/theory based on incomplete evidence:
  • There has been much speculation about the company's future plans.
  • His statement was pure speculation, not based on any facts.
• As a risky financial investment:
  • He lost a lot of money in real estate speculation.
  • The purchase of the land was a risky speculation.
• As profound contemplation (less common):
  • The philosopher was lost in speculation about the nature of time.

Advanced Usage

• "To engage in speculation": To actively form theories or make risky investments.
  • Journalists should report facts, not engage in speculation.
• "A matter of speculation": Something that is uncertain and open to guesswork.
  • The cause of the accident is still a matter of speculation.
• "Speculation is rife": Used to indicate that there are many rumors or guesses about something.
  • Speculation is rife that the minister will resign.

Variants and Related Words

• Speculate (verb): To form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence; to invest in stocks, property, etc., in the hope of gain but with the risk of loss.
  • He refused to speculate on the outcome of the trial.
  • She speculated in the currency markets.
• Speculative (adjective): Based on conjecture rather than knowledge; involving high-risk financial investment.
  • His conclusions were highly speculative.
  • A speculative venture.
• Speculator (noun): A person who invests in stocks, property, etc., in the hope of making a profit.
  • The property was bought by a speculator.

Synonyms

• Conjecture: An opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.
• Hypothesis: A proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.
• Guesswork: The process or results of guessing.
• Gamble (for financial sense): A risky action undertaken with the hope of success.

Related Phrases

• Wild speculation: Speculation that is not controlled or reasonable; guesswork that is extreme or unfounded.
  • The article was filled with wild speculation.
• Fuel speculation: To cause more speculation or rumors.
  • The CEO's vague comments fueled speculation about a merger.
• Curb speculation: To take action to reduce or control speculative activity, especially in finance.
  • The government introduced measures to curb speculation in the housing market.

Noun

1. continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
   • the habit of meditation is the basis for all real knowledge
2. an investment that is very risky but could yield great profits
   • he knew the stock was a speculation when he bought it
3. a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)
   • speculations about the outcome of the election
   • he dismissed it as mere conjecture
4. a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence