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View synonyms for tentative

tentative

[ ten-tuh-tiv ]

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.



tentative

/ ˈtɛntətɪv /

adjective

  1. provisional or experimental; conjectural
  2. hesitant, uncertain, or cautious
“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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Derived Forms

  • ˈtentatively, adverb
  • ˈtentativeness, noun
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Other Words From

  • ten·ta·tive·ly adverb
  • ten·ta·tive·ness noun
  • non·ten·ta·tive adjective
  • non·ten·ta·tive·ness noun
  • pre·ten·ta·tive adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of tentative1

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 )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of tentative1

C16: from Medieval Latin tentātīvus, from Latin tentāre to test
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Example Sentences

When on August 7, 2013 Future finally did share a tentative date, he also made a significant change.

The tentative location of the quarantine (which is “still to be defined”) is Casablanca.

In the Peach State, Michelle Nunn, the daughter of former Senator Sam Nunn, appears to have scratched out a tentative lead.

Torn between so many different impulses, Tomlinson Hill ends up as tentative as our country itself.

Instead Hollywood remains tentative, depending on women-friendly filmmakers like Cukor, Hawks, and now Feig to push the envelope.

The present translation is necessarily tentative in many places, but it is hoped marks an advance over those already published.

A tentative cry issued from the baby; a bass exclamation issued from Jed Lewis.

As some small, tentative contribution to the understanding of this under-life, the plan of this volume has been designed.

Since she was evidently a woman of pronounced character, her bewilderment and tentative attitude were not allowed for.

Average Jones' still untouched glass, almost full of the precious port, trembled and sang a little tentative response.

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