How to pronounce speculative
Say it like SPEK-yuh-luh-tiv. Speculative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce speculative. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPEK
- yuh
- luh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Speculative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- yuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of speculative
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: SPEK-yuh-luh-tiv.
What does speculative mean?
- not financially safe or secure“a bad investment”“high risk investments”
- not based on fact or investigation“a notional figure of cost helps in determining production costs”“speculative knowledge”
- showing curiosity“if someone saw a man climbing a light post they might get inquisitive”“raised a speculative eyebrow”
Where does speculative come from?
Inherited from Middle English speculatyf, borrowed from Old French speculatif or directly from Late Latin speculativus, from Latin speculor.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying speculative
How do you pronounce speculative?
Say SPEK-yuh-luh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈspɛkjələtɪv/. In British English it is /ˈspɛkjələtɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in speculative?
Speculative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPEK). Broken into parts: SPEK · yuh · luh · tiv.
Is speculative pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈspɛkjələtɪv/ (SPEK-yuh-luh-tiv).