on spec

idiom

1
: without having a definite buyer or customer but with the hope or expectation of finding one when work is completed
He built the house on spec.
She wrote the script on spec.
2
chiefly British : without being sure of success but with the hope of success
He wrote to the company on spec, hoping for a job.

Examples of on spec in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Strong wrote the script on spec which was quickly taken off the market by LBI. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025 World’s fastest monitor There's a competitive air at CES that lends to tech brands trying to one-up each other on spec sheets. Ars Technica, 12 Jan. 2025 Photo : Vigilante 4x4 Built on spec, this reimagined Grand Wagoneer is priced at $385,000. Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2025 Wes Craven directed the original 1996 film Scream from the script that Williamson initially wrote on spec. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for on spec

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“On spec.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20spec. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!