verb

speculate

Translation

to speculate, to conjecture, to theorize, to trade riskily

We can only speculate about the reasons for his decision.

He speculated on the stock market and lost everything.

((about/on sth.)) to form an opinion without knowing all the facts We can only speculate about the reasons.

((that ...)) to suggest that sth. might be true He speculated that the company would fail.

((in/on sth.)) to buy goods, property, shares, etc., in the hope of selling them at a profit He speculated on the stock market.

Synonyms: guess, conjecture, theorize

From Latin 'speculari' (to look at), from 'specula' (watchtower).

Think of using 'spectacles' to 'look' at a problem and guess the outcome.