tentative

American  

[ten-tuh-tiv] / ˈtɛn tə tɪv /

adjective

1. of the nature of or made or done as a trial, experiment, or attempt; experimental.

   a tentative report on her findings.

2. unsure; uncertain; not definite or positive; hesitant.

   a tentative smile on his face.

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tentative British  

/ ˈtɛntətɪv /

adjective

1. provisional or experimental; conjectural

2. hesitant, uncertain, or cautious

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Other Word Forms

• nontentative adjective
• nontentativeness noun
• pretentative adjective
• tentatively adverb
• tentativeness noun

Etymology

Origin of tentative

First recorded in 1580–90; from Medieval Latin tentātīvus, equivalent to Latin tentāt(us) (past participle of tentāre, variant of temptāre “to test”; tempt ) + -īvus adjective suffix ( -ive )

Example Sentences

For some in Dandong, North Korea's tentative reopening kindled hope of returning home.

From Barron's

Capital Economics senior Europe economist Franziska Palmas said the survey and other recent indicators suggest "the renewed rise in energy prices could derail the tentative recovery in the German economy seen in recent months".

From Barron's

The renewed rise in energy prices could derail Germany’s tentative economic recovery, according to Capital Economics senior Europe economist Franziska Palmas.

From The Wall Street Journal

Four days later, the Justice Department and Live Nation announced a tentative agreement that would allow the company to avoid a breakup.

From The Wall Street Journal

But this week, when they finally struck a tentative deal, it did more than avoid the embarrassment of a work stoppage.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cautious
• hesitant
• reluctant
• timid
• unsure
• wobbly