speculate

/sɛk.yəˈleɪt/

Definitions

1. verb

to form or express an opinion or idea about something without having enough information, especially about the future.

“The economist speculated that the company would go bankrupt within a year.”

2. verb

to think about something for pleasure or entertainment, especially a subject that is not serious or important.

“She loves to speculate about the lives of celebrities.”

3. noun

a person who buys and sells stocks, commodities, etc., in the hope of making a profit.

“The stock market is full of speculators who are trying to make quick profits.”

4. noun

a theory or opinion about something, especially one that is not based on facts.

“The scientist’s speculation about the origin of the universe was met with skepticism.”

Synonyms

  • conjecture
  • estimate
  • guess
  • guesstimate

Antonyms

  • confirm
  • establish
  • verify