Words / B2

TENT-uh-tiv/ˈtentətɪv/

Tentative means not yet definite or fully confident: a tentative date; a tentative conclusion; tentative steps. Provisional is a close twin for arrangements; hesitant describes a person. Definitely is an opposite tone. Do not present a tentative finding as proof. Lab and policy papers flag tentative results.

Meaning

Not definite or fully confident; done as a trial.

Examples

• “The date is tentative until the venue confirms capacity.”
• “The authors offer only a tentative explanation for the anomaly.”

Good to know

a tentative date / conclusion / agreement. Close: provisional. Person: hesitant. Opposite tone: definite. Flag uncertainty in academic writing.

Near in meaning

provisional

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