French word

spéculer

Pronunciation

IPA/spekyle/

Meaning

  • verbspeculate

Example

Nous spéculons sur ce que dira le directeur demain.

We are speculating about what the director will say tomorrow.

Illustration for spéculer (speculate)

More examples

Il ne faut pas spéculer sur des rumeurs.

One must not speculate about rumors.

Core concept

A mind projects possible outcomes beyond what the available facts establish, sometimes with money at risk.

Common phrases

  • spéculer sur des rumeurs

    speculate about rumors

  • spéculer sur le prix

    speculate about the price

Similar words

penser: To think that something is true or the case.
supposer: To provisionally believe something without solid evidence.
imaginer: To picture something unreal or nonexistent in the mind.
deviner: To guess an answer or result from clues or fragmentary information.

Definition in French

Formuler des hypothèses sans preuve certaine; s'emploie aussi pour l'action de spéculer en finance.

Word origin

French spéculer comes from Latin speculari, meaning to observe, and developed from considering possibilities to forming uncertain hypotheses and seeking financial gain.

Usage tips

  • Spéculer commonly takes sur, as in spéculer sur ce que dira le directeur, for both hypothesizing and financial speculation.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word