speculate

6 definitions • 14 examples

to guess possible answers to a question when you do not have enough information to be certain:

I don't know why she did it - I'm just speculating.

A spokesperson declined to speculate on the cause of the train crash.

Journalists are speculating about whether interest rates will be cut.

[ + that ] The newspapers have speculated that they will get married next year.

to buy and sell in the hope that the value of what you buy will increase and that it can then be sold at a higher price in order to make a profit:

He made his money speculating on the London gold and silver markets.

The company has been speculating in property for years.

to form opinions about something without having the necessary information or facts; to make guesses:

I’m just speculating about what happened.

Officials refused to speculate on the cause of the crash.

to buy and sell with the hope that the value of what you buy will increase and that it can then be sold at a higher price in order to make a profit:

He made his money speculating in the gold and silver markets.

to guess possible answers to a question when you do not have enough information to be certain:

speculate on/about sth Journalists are speculating about whether interest rates will be cut.

A spokesperson declined to speculate on the date of the merger.

speculate that Currency traders speculated that Japan's central bank might soon buy large amounts of dollars in the hope of preventing the yen from strengthening further

to buy something hoping that its value will increase and then sell at this higher price in order to make a profit:

speculate on/in sth He made his money speculating on the London gold and silver markets.

The company speculates in property.