tentatively

[ ten-tuh-tiv-lee ]

adverb

1. as a trial, experiment, or attempt:

   Our next meeting is tentatively scheduled for the 8th of June.

2. in a hesitant or uncertain manner:

   She spoke tentatively, but apparently thought better of it and stopped.

Other Words From

• non·ten·ta·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of tentatively¹

tentative ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

These Dodgers are good enough to tentatively begin planning one.

From Los Angeles Times

On Tuesday, his lawyers filed a motion requesting the identities of his accusers, in order to prepare for the trial, which is tentatively scheduled to begin on 5 May 2025.

From BBC

The county of Los Angeles has tentatively agreed to buy the prominent office skyscraper near the historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel for $215 million in a foreclosure sale that could take months to complete.

From Los Angeles Times

The deal that union representatives and Boeing had tentatively agreed would have seen workers get a 25% pay rise over four years.

From BBC

Weinstein’s retrial is tentatively scheduled to begin Nov. 12 and he was initially due back in court for a pretrial hearing Sept. 12, according to jail records.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conditionally
• provisionally
• temporarily