speculate Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
conjecture; theorize; hypothesize; theorise; hypothesise; suppose; hypothecate.
- Scientists supposed that large dinosaurs lived in swamps
verb talk over conjecturally, or review in an idle or casual way and with an element of doubt or without sufficient reason to reach a conclusion
- We were speculating whether the President had to resign after the scandal
verb reflect deeply on a subject
ponder; ruminate; mull; muse; think over; reflect; contemplate; meditate; chew over; mull over; excogitate.
- I mulled over the events of the afternoon
- philosophers have speculated on the question of God for thousands of years
- The scientist must stop to observe and start to excogitate
verb invest at a risk
job.
- I bought this house not because I want to live in it but to sell it later at a good price, so I am speculating

L. speculatus, p.p. of speculari to spy out, observe, fr. specula a lookout, fr. specere to look. See Spy.

imperfect & past participle Speculated ; present participle & verbal noun Speculating

To consider by turning a subject in the mind, and viewing it in its different aspects and relations; to meditate; to contemplate; to theorize; as, to speculate on questions in religion; to speculate on political events.
It is remarkable that persons who speculate the most boldly often conform with the most pefect quietude to the external regulations of society. Hawthorne.
(Philos.) To view subjects from certain premises given or assumed, and infer conclusions respecting them a priori.
(Com.) To purchase with the expectation of a contingent advance in value, and a consequent sale at a profit; -- often, in a somewhat depreciative sense, of unsound or hazardous transactions; as, to speculate in coffee, in sugar, or in bank stock. (finance)

To consider attentively; as, to speculate the nature of a thing. R. Sir W. Hamilton.