1
[ adjective ] not based on fact or investigation

Synonyms

notional

Examples

"a notional figure of cost helps in determining production costs" "speculative knowledge"

Used in print

(A.L. Kroeber, "Semantic Contribution of Lexicostatistic...)

But the farther out he moves , the thinner will be his hold on conclusive evidence , and the larger the speculative component in his inferences .

Related terms

theoretical

2
[ adjective ] not financially safe or secure

Examples

"a bad investment" "high risk investments" "anything that promises to pay too much can't help being risky" "speculative business enterprises"

Used in print

(Orlin J. Scoville, Part-Time Farming...)

This is a highly speculative venture .

Related terms

unsound

3
[ adjective ] showing curiosity

Examples

"if someone saw a man climbing a light post they might get inquisitive" "raised a speculative eyebrow"

Related terms

curious

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