speculative
UK: /ˈspek.jə.lə.tɪv/ | US: /ˈspek.jə.lə.tɪv/
adj. based on conjecture or theoretical reasoning rather than knowledge
adj. involving financial risk in hopes of profit
adj. characterized by curiosity or contemplation
speculative = specul<observe> + ative<adjective suffix>
- specul (from Latin speculari "to observe, watch," derived from specere "to look")
- ative (Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives, indicating "related to or characterized by")
Etymology Origin:
The word speculative traces back to Latin speculativus, meaning "observational" or "theoretical." The root specul reflects the act of looking or examining, often metaphorically extended to intellectual observation (e.g., speculation as "mental scrutiny"). Over time, it acquired financial connotations (18th century) to describe risky investments based on uncertain observations of market trends.
His conclusions were purely speculative, lacking empirical evidence.
The stock market attracts speculative investors seeking high returns.
She dismissed the theory as speculative and unproven.
Philosophers engage in speculative debates about consciousness.
The article offered a speculative forecast about future technology.