speculate
/ˈspɛkjʊleɪt
/verb [no object]
1Form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence: my colleagues speculate about my private life [with clause]: observers speculated that the authorities wished to improve their image...
- Dr. Penney, in his evidence, speculated that the error was a typographical one.
- Researchers speculated that organically grown plants are subject to more environmental challenges and therefore have stronger antioxidant defenses.
- Some speculated that it was, because there was limited evidence that another race had existed there once.
Synonyms
conjecture, theorize, form theories, hypothesize, make suppositions, postulate, guess, make guesses, surmise;
think, wonder, muse
2Invest in stocks, property, or other ventures in the hope of gain but with the risk of loss: he didn’t look as though he had the money to speculate in shares...
- A hedge fund borrows money to speculate in the stock market.
- Large capitalists can invest in government bonds, or they can speculate in stocks and commodities whose price is soaring due to the inflation.
- Amidst his wife and the other two techies, he has no interest in this new technology, happier taking walks in the quarry by a ruined church than speculating on internet stocks.
Synonyms
gamble, take a risk/chance, venture, take a venture, wager;
invest, play the market
British informal have a flutter, punt
Origin
Late 16th century: from Latin speculat- 'observed from a vantage point', from the verb speculari, from specula 'watchtower', from specere 'to look'.