speculative Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite not financially safe or secure
    bad; high-risk; risky.
    • a bad investment
    • high risk investments
    • anything that promises to pay too much can't help being risky
    • speculative business enterprises
  2. adjective satellite not based on fact or investigation
    notional.
    • a notional figure of cost helps in determining production costs
    • speculative knowledge
  3. adjective satellite showing curiosity
    inquisitive; wondering; questioning.
    • if someone saw a man climbing a light post they might get inquisitive
    • raised a speculative eyebrow

WordNet

Spec"u*la*tive adjective
Etymology
Cf. F. spéculatif, L. speculativus.
Definitions
  1. Given to speculation; contemplative.
    The mind of man being by nature speculative. Hooker.
  2. Involving, or formed by, speculation; ideal; theoretical; not established by demonstration. Cudworth.
  3. Of or pertaining to vision; also, prying; inquisitive; curious. R. Bacon.
  4. Of or pertaining to speculation in land, goods, shares, etc.; as, a speculative dealer or enterprise. 5. (Finance) More risky than typical investments; not investment grade.
    The speculative merchant exercises no one regular, established, or well-known branch of business. A. Smith.
    -- Spec"u*la*tive*ly, adv. -- Spec"u*la*tive*ness, n.

Webster 1913