speculation

American  

[spek-yuh-ley-shuhn] / ˌspɛk yəˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the contemplation or consideration of some subject.

   to engage in speculation on humanity's ultimate destiny.

2. a single instance or process of consideration.

3. a conclusion or opinion reached by such contemplation.

   These speculations are impossible to verify.

   Synonyms:

   hypothesis, theory, view, supposition

4. conjectural consideration of a matter; conjecture or surmise.

   a report based on speculation rather than facts.

5. engagement in business transactions involving considerable risk but offering the chance of large gains, especially trading in commodities, stocks, etc., in the hope of profit from changes in the market price.

6. a speculative commercial venture or undertaking.

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speculation British  

/ ˌspɛkjʊˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of speculating

2. a supposition, theory, or opinion arrived at through speculating

3. investment involving high risk but also the possibility of high profits

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Other Word Forms

• antispeculation noun
• nonspeculation noun
• overspeculation noun
• prespeculation noun
• semispeculation noun

Etymology

Origin of speculation

1325–75; Middle English speculacioun < Late Latin speculātiōn- (stem of speculātiō ) exploration, observation. See speculate, -ion

Explanation

When you guess about how something is going to come out (or how it happened), that's speculation. You're making an educated guess. When people predict who will win a football game, an Oscar, or an election, it's speculation: people are looking at the facts and making their best guess. Just about anything you say about the future is speculation, because no one knows what will happen. The word is used in the stock market for such financial dealings as "buying on spec," a risky way to make money. Sometimes, this word means something close to meditation — pondering something deeply.

Example Sentences

But given intense speculation that the flow of cash is about to end, the amounts involved suddenly feel more relevant.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Let’s put a pause on all this speculation and just enjoy what Saturday’s playoff opener wrought.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

For years, there’s been speculation about whether Goop will IPO or be acquired, as well as when it will become profitable.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Not everyone at CPAC, though, was interested in speculation about 2028.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

But mostly there was a kind of reflexive professionalism and an uncommon immersion of the aviators into philosophical speculation.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

• belief
• conjecture
• opinion
• thought