Speculate: meaning, definitions and examples

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speculate

 

[ ˈspɛkjʊˌleɪt ]

Verb
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

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

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

Examples of usage

  • She speculated on the reasons for his behavior.

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

Etymology

The word 'speculate' originates from the Latin word 'speculatus', which means 'to spy out' or 'to observe'. In the 16th century, the term began to be used in the context of financial transactions, and it evolved to its current meanings over time.

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.