French word

spéculation

Pronunciation

IPA/spekylasjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounspeculation

Example

On ne peut pas confirmer, ce n'est que de la spéculation.

It cannot be confirmed; it is just speculation.

Illustration for spéculation (speculation)

More examples

Les journalistes doivent vérifier avant de publier des spéculations.

Journalists must verify before publishing speculation.

Core concept

A tentative conclusion extends beyond firm evidence; in finance, money is similarly committed in hope of a gain.

Common phrases

  • mettre fin aux spéculations

    end the speculation

  • éviter les spéculations

    avoid speculation

Similar words

hypothèse: An untested explanation put forward as a working idea.
conjecture: A tentative inference drawn from partial information.
supposition: A premise adopted temporarily without being established as true.
rumeur: A report or story whose truth remains unconfirmed.

Definition in French

Supposition ou conjecture formulée sans preuve certaine, généralement fondée sur des indices; le terme s'emploie aussi pour désigner des opérations spéculatives en finance.

Word origin

French spéculation comes from Latin speculatio, formed from speculari, 'to observe'; its senses include conjecture and financial risk.

Usage tips

  • In the conjectural sense, spéculation commonly relates to sur: spéculer sur une cause means to speculate about a cause.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word