speculative

/ˈspekjələtɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈspekjələtɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈspe-kyə-lə-tiv -ˌlā-/ (ame, mw)

speculative — 形容詞

  • speculativepositive
  • more speculativecomparative
  • most speculativesuperlative

1. based on opinions or ideas that are formed without enough facts to be certain —

1.形容詞B2
釋義

推測的

缺乏足夠事實根據的

based on opinions or ideas that are formed without enough facts to be certain — describing a claim, conclusion, or theory that has not been proven true.

例句

Aisha dismissed the report as purely speculative, since the researchers had interviewed only five people.

Aisha 認為那份報告純屬推測，因為研究人員只訪問了五個人。

purely speculative — emphasizes no factual basis

Yuki warned that any forecast of next year's sales was entirely speculative.

Yuki 警告說，任何對明年銷售額的預測都完全是推測性的。

同義詞
  • conjectural

    more formal and academic; suggests an opinion formed without strong evidence

  • hypothetical

    describes something assumed for the sake of argument, not necessarily improbable

  • tentative

    highlights uncertainty and willingness to change the view later

反義詞
  • conclusive

    evidence that settles a question beyond doubt

  • definitive

    a version or finding that is considered final and authoritative

用法筆記

Commonly paired with adverbs such as 'purely', 'entirely', or 'merely' to stress the absence of factual support.

常見錯誤

❌His theory is speculative, meaning it has been tested thoroughly.
✅His theory is speculative, meaning the evidence is still too weak to be sure.
💡Speculative means unproven, not proven.

2. describing a financial deal or purchase that offers a big possible profit but al

2.形容詞B2
釋義

投機的

高風險投資試圖獲利的

describing a financial deal or purchase that offers a big possible profit but also a high chance of losing money — used for investments, trades, or market activity with an uncertain result.

例句

Raj lost most of his savings on a speculative investment in a new tech company that later went bankrupt.

Raj 把大部分積蓄投入了一家後來破產的新創科技公司，這筆投機性投資讓他血本無歸。

speculative investment — high-risk financial move

Elena decided against buying the farmland because the deal seemed too speculative for her budget.

Elena 決定不買那塊農地，因為這筆交易投機性太高，不符合她的預算。

同義詞
  • risky

    more general; implies any kind of danger, not just financial

  • venturesome

    suggests a willingness to take bold risks, often with a positive tone

反義詞
  • safe

    describes an investment with very low risk of losing money

  • secure

    implies guaranteed returns or protection against loss

用法筆記

Subject is typically a financial product (investment, stock, fund, bond) or a market activity (trading, buying, lending). Not used for everyday purchases.

常見錯誤

❌He made a speculative investment that was guaranteed to make money.
✅He made a speculative investment that could easily lose all his money.
💡Speculative investments are high-risk, not guaranteed.

3. sent or performed in the hope of being hired even though the company has not ann

3.形容詞C1
釋義

自薦的

無職缺時主動應徵的

sent or performed in the hope of being hired even though the company has not announced any open position — describing a job application, letter, or visit made without a known vacancy.

例句

Linh sent a speculative application to the publishing house, and they called her for an interview the following week.

Linh 向那家出版社寄了一封自薦求職信，結果隔週他們就通知她面試。

speculative application — sent without a posted vacancy

Thando wrote a speculative email to the design studio, which led to a six-month freelance contract.

Thando 寫了一封自薦電子郵件給那間設計工作室，後來獲得了一份六個月的自由接案合約。

同義詞
  • unsolicited

    broader; applies to any offer or request that was not asked for, not just job applications

  • proactive

    positive tone; suggests taking initiative rather than waiting, but is not limited to job hunting

用法筆記

This sense is specific to job-seeking contexts. It is most common in British English; North American English prefers expressions like 'unsolicited application'.

常見錯誤

❌I sent a speculative application for the advertised position of office manager.
✅I sent a speculative application because the company had not listed any open positions.
💡Speculative applications are for unadvertised jobs only.

4. showing a desire to explore an idea or find out more about something — describin

4.形容詞C1
釋義

質疑的

流露好奇或疑問的

showing a desire to explore an idea or find out more about something — describing a look, expression, or tone that expresses curiosity or mild doubt.

例句

Sven gave his daughter a speculative look when she claimed she had finished all her homework before dinner.

Sven 露出質疑的表情看著女兒，因為她說自己在晚餐前就把所有作業寫完了。

speculative look — questioning, curious expression

Amara tilted her head with a speculative expression, clearly not convinced by the explanation.

Amara 歪著頭，臉上帶著質疑的表情，顯然不相信那個解釋。

同義詞
  • curious

    more general; can mean simply interested without any doubt

  • inquisitive

    suggests actively asking questions; slightly formal

  • questioning

    neutral and direct; highlights doubt as much as curiosity

反義詞
  • indifferent

    showing no interest or curiosity

  • certain

    without any doubt; opposite of the mild doubt in a speculative look

用法筆記

Describes physical expressions or vocal qualities — look, glance, expression, tone, eyebrow movement — not used with abstract nouns.