speculation
noun /ˌspekjuˈleɪʃn/
/ˌspekjuˈleɪʃn/
[uncountable, countable]- the act of forming opinions about what has happened or what might happen without knowing all the facts
- His private life is the subject of much speculation.
- speculation that… There was widespread speculation that she was going to resign.
- speculation about something Today's announcement ends months of speculation about the company's future.
- speculation over something The president’s absence led to speculation over his health.
- She dismissed the newspaper reports as pure speculation.
- Our speculations proved right.
Extra ExamplesTopics Opinion and argumentb2, Doubt, guessing and certaintyb2- He was dropped from the team amid speculation that he was sick.
- Much speculation surrounds his role in the crisis.
- Speculation is mounting that a new tax will be introduced.
- Speculation was rife as to who would be chosen as a successor.
- Speculation was rife as to whom the prince might marry.
- There has been a lot of speculation linking the defender with a move to Chelsea.
- There has been increasing speculation over the company's future.
- There was wild speculation among the students as to the reason for cancelling the lecture.
- This is just speculation on my part.
- This issue has attracted a great deal of speculation among economists.
- Whether or not he will get the job is mere speculation.
- With a lack of credible answers, speculation is running rampant.
- amateur speculation based on questionable assumptions
- Speculation was rife that he was having an affair.
- The visit fuelled speculation about a major arms deal between the two countries.
- There has been intense media speculation over the past few days.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- intense
- much
- …
- cause
- encourage
- fuel
- …
- be rife
- run rampant
- grow
- …
- amid speculation
- speculation among
- speculation about
- …
- a matter for speculation
- a matter of speculation
- a subject of speculation
- …
- speculation (in something) the activity of buying and selling goods or shares in a company in the hope of making a profit, but with the risk of losing money
- speculation in oil
- speculation against the euro
- speculation on the stock market
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- financial
- market
- stock-market
- …
- speculation in
- speculation on