French word

spéculatif

Pronunciation

IPA/spekylatif/

Meaning

  • adjectivespeculative

Example

C'est une idée spéculative.

This is a speculative idea.

Illustration for spéculatif (speculative)

More examples

Il a fait un investissement spéculatif l'année dernière.

He made a speculative investment last year.

Core concept

A mind looking beyond established facts to consider what might be true.

Common phrases

  • investissement spéculatif

    speculative investment

  • comportement spéculatif

    speculative behavior

Similar words

hypothétique: Proposed for consideration as a hypothesis pending stronger evidence.
supposé: Regarded as true by assumption rather than established fact.
incertain: Not firmly known or decided because certainty is lacking.

Definition in French

Qui repose sur des conjectures ou des hypothèses plutôt que sur des preuves établies, souvent employé pour des idées ou des interprétations.

Word origin

Spéculatif is a learned French formation from Latin speculativus, connected with speculari, 'to observe or contemplate', and with French spéculer.

Usage tips

  • In French, spéculatif can also describe financial activity driven by buying and selling for profit, so context separates this sense from uncertain ideas.

Opposites

  • concretconcreteadjective
  • fondéwell-foundedadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word