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- pronunciation:
- spek
y
leIt
- parts of speech:
- intransitive verb, transitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer, Grammatical Patterns, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
speculates, speculating, speculated |
| definition 1: |
to wonder or make a guess or guesses with respect to something.
We have no facts, so we can only speculate as to her motives.I don't want to speculate about the nature of their relationship.Would you like to speculate on the possibility of her running for governor next year?- synonyms:
- conjecture, guess, hypothesize, surmise, theorize, wonder
- similar words:
- cogitate, contemplate, meditate, mull, ponder, reflect, ruminate, see, suppose, think
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| definition 2: |
to engage in a risky business transaction that promises the possibility of large profits.
The older brother liked to speculate despite the risks of losing money, but the younger brother always played it safe.- synonyms:
- gamble
- similar words:
- chance it, plunge, trade, venture, wager
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| definition 3: |
to buy, produce, or build something in anticipation of an increase in its price.
- similar words:
- invest
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| related words: |
abstract, bet, gamble, postulate, presume, remark, stake, think |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to put forward (a guess or a theory) despite lack of sufficient evidence (fol. by a clause).
The press is speculating that the bomb blast was carried out by terrorists.[verb + (that) + clause
]
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| definition 2: |
to wonder about or consider.
I'm just speculating whether or not he really knew what he was doing.[verb + WH/whether/if + clause
]
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