Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Involving or based on conjecture rather than knowledge: Relating to ideas or theories that are not yet proven or are hypothetical.
   • Engaged in financial risk-taking with the hope of profit: Involving the buying or selling of assets (like stocks, property, or commodities) with the expectation that their value will change, often with significant risk of loss.
   • Showing curiosity or inquisitiveness: Expressing or characterized by thoughtful questioning or pondering.

Examples of Usage

• Based on conjecture:
  • His conclusions were purely speculative, lacking any hard evidence.
  • The article presented a speculative theory about the origins of the universe.
• Involving financial risk:
  • She made a speculative investment in the startup, hoping it would become the next big thing.
  • The real estate market in the area is highly speculative.
• Showing curiosity:
  • He gave me a speculative look, wondering if I was telling the truth.

Advanced Usage

• "Speculative fiction": A broad literary genre encompassing narratives that depart from reality, including science fiction, fantasy, and supernatural horror, often exploring "what if?" scenarios.
  • Margaret Atwood prefers the term speculative fiction for some of her novels.
• "Speculative philosophy": Philosophical inquiry that deals with theoretical concepts about the nature of existence, knowledge, or ethics, often beyond immediate empirical verification.
  • The ancient Greeks were masters of speculative philosophy.

Variants and Related Words

• Speculate (verb): To form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence; to invest in stocks, property, or other ventures in the hope of gain but with the risk of loss.
  • He refused to speculate on the outcome of the election.
  • It's dangerous to speculate with money you can't afford to lose.
• Speculation (noun): The forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence; investment in stocks, property, etc., in the hope of gain but with the risk of loss.
  • There has been much speculation about the company's future.
  • His wealth came from shrewd speculation in the oil market.
• Speculator (noun): A person who invests in stocks, property, etc., in the hope of making a profit.
  • The land was bought by property speculators.

Synonyms

• Theoretical: Concerned with or involving the theory of a subject or area of study rather than its practical application.
• Conjectural: Based on or involving conjecture (an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information).
• Risky: Full of the possibility of danger, failure, or loss (for the financial sense).

Related Phrases

• Speculative bubble: A sharp rise in the value of an asset class driven by exuberant market behavior, unsupported by fundamentals, and often followed by a sudden collapse.
  • Many economists warned of a speculative bubble in the housing market.
• Speculative grade: A rating (below investment grade) given to bonds that carry a higher risk of default.
  • The company's debt was downgraded to speculative grade.

Adjective

1. showing curiosity
   • if someone saw a man climbing a light post they might get inquisitive
   • raised a speculative eyebrow
2. not based on fact or investigation
   • a notional figure of cost helps in determining production costs
   • speculative knowledge
3. not financially safe or secure
   • a bad investment
   • high risk investments
   • anything that promises to pay too much can't help being risky
   • speculative business enterprises