Speculate: meaning, definitions and examples

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speculate

[ˈspɛkjʊˌleɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in finance

Engage in buying or selling securities, property, or goods, typically with a view to making a profit.

Synonyms

gamble, invest, trade.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
speculate	Best used when discussing making decisions based on guesswork or predictions, often involving risk. It can be related to financial markets but also other uncertain outcomes. He likes to speculate on the outcome of the elections. Many investors speculate on stock prices, hoping to make a profit.
invest	Used when referring to putting money, time, or effort into something with the expectation of achieving a profit or benefit. Typically implies a more calculated risk and longer-term commitment. She decided to invest in a diverse portfolio of stocks and bonds. He invested a lot of time in learning a new language.
trade	Best used for the act of buying and selling goods, services, or financial instruments. Often implies a more systematic and ongoing activity within markets or between parties. She trades stocks on the New York Stock Exchange. The countries decided to trade goods to mutually benefit their economies.
gamble	Appropriate when referring to taking high-risk actions for a potential reward. Usually implies betting or staking money and often has a negative connotation due to the high level of risk and potential for loss. They decided to gamble their savings on a horse race. Entering a new market without proper research is like gambling.

Examples of usage

The company was accused of speculating on the stock market.
She speculated in real estate and made a fortune.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

general

Form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence.

Synonyms

conjecture, guess, predict.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
speculate	Given this word was repeated, the context already provided should be considered. The journalists speculate about the potential political changes. Many people speculate on what the future might hold for the technology industry.
guess	Use this informal word when someone is making an assumption or estimate without sufficient information. It is less formal and often used in everyday conversation. I guess it will rain today. Can you guess what I'm thinking?
conjecture	This word is suitable for situations where a conclusion is drawn based on incomplete information. It often has a more academic or formal tone. Her conjecture about the outcome of the experiment was later proven to be correct. The archaeologists made a conjecture about the age of the artifact.
predict	This word is used when foreseeing or declaring something in advance based on evidence or reasoning, often in a scientific or analytical context. Meteorologists predict that the storm will hit the coast by tomorrow. Economists predict a rise in inflation next year.

Examples of usage

He refused to speculate on what might happen.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

general

Reflect on or ponder over possible outcomes.

Synonyms

consider, contemplate, deliberate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
speculate	This word is used when you are guessing or making assumptions about something without having all the information. It often has a sense of uncertainty or risk. They speculate that the company might go bankrupt. She likes to speculate about the lives of celebrities.
contemplate	This word is used for thinking deeply about something, often involving introspection or reflection. It is more meditative and serious. He likes to contemplate the meaning of life when he's alone. She spent hours contemplating the view from the mountain.
consider	Use this when you are thinking about something carefully before making a decision. It often involves weighing the pros and cons. She will consider joining the team after the interview. We need to consider all the options before making a choice.
deliberate	Use this when discussing something with others before making a decision. It often implies a formal or careful discussion. The jury will deliberate for several hours before reaching a verdict. We need to deliberate on the project's budget at the next meeting.

Examples of usage

She speculated on the reasons for his behavior.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

This word comes from the Latin word 'speculari', which means 'to look' or 'to observe'.
In the 17th century, the term was commonly used in scientific contexts, particularly in philosophy.

Science

In scientific research, people often speculate about results before experiments to form hypotheses.
Speculation is a key part of developing theories in many scientific fields, like psychology and environmental science, where direct evidence may be limited.

Economics

In finance, speculation refers to buying or selling assets with the hope of making a profit from future price changes.
Speculative investments can be risky, as they often involve predictions about future market behavior.

Literature

Many novels invite readers to speculate about characters' motivations and future actions based on subtle hints.
In mystery genres, speculation plays a crucial role, as readers try to piece together clues to forecast the story's outcome.

Psychology

Speculation can affect decision-making, as people often let their predictions about future events influence their current choices.
Cognitive biases such as the hindsight bias can lead individuals to speculate inaccurately about past events.

Translations

Translations of the word "speculate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 especular

🇮🇳 अनुमान लगाना

🇩🇪 spekulieren

🇮🇩 berspekulasi

🇺🇦 спекулювати

🇵🇱 spekulować

🇯🇵 推測する (suisoku suru)

🇫🇷 spéculer

🇪🇸 especular

🇹🇷 spekülasyon yapmak

🇰🇷 추측하다 (chucheokhada)

🇸🇦 يخمن (yukhmin)

🇨🇿 spekulovat

🇸🇰 špekulovať

🇨🇳 猜测 (cāicè)

🇸🇮 špekulirati

🇮🇸 spekúlera

🇰🇿 болжау

🇬🇪 ვარაუდი

🇦🇿 fərz etmək

🇲🇽 especular

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,281, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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11278 blush
11279 scroll
11280 whisky
11281 speculate
11282 subpoena
11283 compiler
11284 contractions
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