speculation

noun

spec·​u·​la·​tion ˌspe-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

: an act or instance of speculating: such as

a

: assumption of unusual business risk in hopes of obtaining commensurate gain

b

: a transaction involving such speculation

Synonyms

• adventure
• chance
• crapshoot
• enterprise
• flier
• flyer
• flutter [chiefly British]
• gamble
• throw
• venture

Examples of speculation in a Sentence

He dismissed their theories as mere speculation.

The book is just a lot of idle speculation about the future.

Her speculations leave many questions unanswered.

He lost everything in foolish land speculation.

Recent Examples on the Web

There is some speculation, though, that Future is releasing this tape to compete with Gunna’s new album, One of Wun, dropping the same day, and Gunna might be feeling the same way. —Angel Diaz, Billboard, 8 May 2024

Last month, federal authorities cleared Ohtani of wrongdoing , quieting widespread speculation about the potential fallout of the scandal for his baseball career and potential criminal charges. —Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing speculation

• anti-speculation

Kids Definition

speculation

noun

spec·​u·​la·​tion ˌspek-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: thoughts or guesses about something

much speculation about who the new teacher would be

2

: the taking of a big risk in business in hopes of making a big profit

Legal Definition

speculation

noun

spec·​u·​la·​tion ˌspe-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

: an act or instance of speculating: as

a

: assumption of unusual business risk in hopes of obtaining commensurate gain

b

: a transaction involving such speculation