Words / C1

SPEK-yool-ayt/ˈspekjuleɪt/

To speculate is to guess without firm evidence, or to trade hoping for profit: speculate about motive, speculate on shares. Guess is everyday; hypothesise is more scientific. Speculation is the noun (often dismissive). Speculative is the adjective. Do not put speculation in the results section as if it were a finding.

Meaning

To form an opinion without firm evidence; also to trade in the hope of profit.

Examples

• “We can speculate about motive; we cannot put it in the minutes.”
• “We can speculate in the discussion; the table only shows counts.”
• “Property speculation is the money sense, not a hunch about a colleague.”

Good to know

Guess without proof; also gamble on a market. Noun: speculation. Science cousin: hypothesise. Everyday: guess. Keep it out of “results”.

Near in meaning

guess

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