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View synonyms for

speculate

[ spek-yuh-leyt ]

verb (used without object)

speculated, speculating.
  1. to engage in thought or reflection; meditate (often followed by on, upon, or a clause).

    Synonyms: , ,

  2. to indulge in conjectural thought.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

  3. to engage in any business transaction involving considerable risk or the chance of large gains, especially to buy and sell commodities, stocks, etc., in the expectation of a quick or very large profit.


speculate

/ ˈɛʊˌɪ /

verb

  1. when tr, takes a clause as object to conjecture without knowing the complete facts
  2. intr to buy or sell securities, property, etc, in the hope of deriving capital gains
  3. intr to risk loss for the possibility of considerable gain
  4. intr rugby to make an emergency forward kick of the ball without taking any particular aim
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • v·u·ٱ verb (used without object) overspeculated overspeculating
  • ·u·ٱ verb (used without object) prespeculated prespeculating
  • ܲ·u·iԲ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of speculate1

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin 𳦳ܱٳܲ “watched over,” past participle of 𳦳ܱī “to watch over, explore, reconnoiter,” verb derivative of specula “watchtower,” noun derivative of specere “to look, regard, see”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of speculate1

C16: from Latin 𳦳ܱī to spy out, from specula a watchtower, from specere to look at
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He also speculated that it may eventually only apply to students from low-income households.

From

On social media sites, some indignant residents speculated that the acts were committed by unscrupulous developers who “wanted the trees gone” or were orchestrated secretly by the City of Los Angeles.

From

Hoffman speculates that Aimee might have taken a nod from them, however, possibly resorting to payoffs in order to get free of her legal problems.

From

Biggs speculated that judges appointed to replace those who left could be “political loyalists.”

From

Some critics speculate that targeting Maine first on the issue is a better strategy.

From

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